Tragedy Strikes Lake Chad as Overloaded Canoe Capsizes, Claiming 18 Lives
Darak, Chad – A harrowing incident on Lake Chad has left a community reeling after an overloaded motorboat carrying passengers to market tragically capsized, claiming the lives of at least 18 people, including children. The incident serves as a devastating reminder of the dangers faced by those relying on water transportation in the region.
The canoe, according to Dharac Mayor Ali Ramat, was en route to the weekly Doro Liman market when disaster struck. "It was the waves that rocked the canoe," Ramat explained, “and the passengers, overcome by fear, wanted to hurry to save themselves. The weight of the canoe shifted to one side, causing an imbalance, and the canoe overturned, dumping the passengers into the waters.”
The victims, predominantly children and young teenagers, were ages 7 to 16. A 30-year-old adult also perished in the tragedy. The exact number of those aboard the canoe remains unknown due to the absence of a passenger manifest, raising concerns that the death toll could climb higher. Lieutenant Messapon, serving with the Joint Multinational Force in Darak, confirmed that an investigation is underway.
This tragedy comes just days after another devastating incident on the Chari River, where a separate motorboat carrying 30 passengers capsized, leaving three dead. Faced with these ongoing tragedies, Logone-Et-Chari Chief Officer Mathias Fombele Tayem visited the scene of the latest disaster to offer support to grieving families. Tayem mentioned a previous visit to families affected by the Chari River incident earlier in the month, emphasizing the recurring danger posed to communities dependent on water travel.
The names of the 18 confirmed victims, primarily young girls, serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of these accidents. As investigations continue, local authorities and national officials grapple with how to prevent future tragedies and ensure safer water transportation for those reliant on these crucial waterways.
Provisional List of Victims:
- Mariam Drunk, approx. 11 years old
- Oumi Abdoulaye, approx. 14 years old
- Rabi Alhadji, approx. 15 years old
- Iyande, approx. 11 years old
- Toumba Bala Magi, approx. 15 years old
- Iyanouma, approx. 12 years old
- Hadidja Habou, approx. 16 years old
- Iyabintou Moussa, approx. 14 years old
- Icha Mohammed, approx. 15 years old
-
Sani Awli, approx. 12 years old
- DIRTY Ousmane, approx. 13 years old
- Mohamed Sani, approx. 30 years old
- Roufai Dan Bita, approx. 9 years old
- Awli Dan Talo, approx. 15 years old
- Heel Bite, approx. 7 years old
- Messa Kalla, approx. 13 years old
- Icha Ballo, approx. 15 years old
- Zeinab Abdu, approx. 13 years old
