35 dead, scores missing in Ladgo twin boat wrecks

Rescuers were searching for hundreds of missing people Monday, two days after two boats sank amid thunderstorms on the River Benue. At least 35 people were confirmed dead following the tragedy near the island of Alpha in the Mayo Rey division. The death toll was expected to rise.

Survivors said the boats were carrying at least 200 people, including traders and a family travelling from Lagdo to attend a marriage. The boats set sail even though weather conditions were not favorable, said eyewitnesses in Lagdo, where floods have been deadly in the past.

A storm broke after a few hours but it was too late for the boats to return to shore, the witnesses quoted by local media said. A dozen survivors had been rescued by Monday. Most of the dead and missing are women and children, a journalist covering the disaster said. The dead were buried in nearby villages.

Rescue efforts were being led by the military. North regional officials visited the site on Monday to encourage the rescue mission. Northern Cameroon is prone to extreme weather events and records deadly floods almost on an annual basis.

Rain returned to the area only two weeks ago, with storms damaging several buildings, including a school, and flooding most of the river plains in the North, after a prolonged dry season. North governor Jean Abeti warned more weather related calamities are to be expected.