Local authorities have confirmed the deaths of three children who drowned when a boat sailing from the Canal to Malakal capsized in the River Nile.
According to the Director for Information in the commissioner’s office, Monykuer Lam Ayul, the boat capsized due to strong waves.
The incident involved a 15 engine boat carrying seven passengers occurred on Saturday morning.
Among the deceased, two children were siblings traveling to visit their mother in Malakal.
“When the boat left, immediately after 20 minutes from Canal reaching to Ubel 3 the boat capsized. The boat was carrying passengers mostly children whose mother’s are in Malakal unfortunately the three children drowned,” Ayul said.
“Up to now one body was retrieved from the river on the same day but two bodies are still missing and haven’t been found. This accident has shocked my people in Pigi County. Two children were from one family and the one year child is from a different family. They are all from canal,” He added.
Ayul said four passengers were rescued by nearby fishermen who responded to the scene.
He also confirmed the arrest of the boat sailor, adding that an investigation into the cause of the accident is expected to begin soon.
