Two-month-old among 13 rescued in R. Nyagak tragedy, 10 still missing

More than ten people are still missing following a tragic crash at River Nyagak.

On Monday afternoon, a taxi, registration number UBJ 956G, a white Toyota Drone, plunged into River Nyagak after the driver failed to negotiate a corner.

According to Zombo resident district commissioner Festus Ayikobua, the driver was attempting to dodge a boda boda rider who was carrying a woman and travelling along the same route. The vehicle was travelling from Hoima to Alangi Market in Zombo district.

"There was a boda in front of them, and he was trying to move away from them to prevent an accident, but created a worse scenario," he said.

Ayikobua explained that the same river is used to generate electricity at Nyagak I and III power stations and is therefore very deep.

Divers managed to rescue 13 people, including a two-month-old baby and an 11-year-old child.

He also noted that one of the survivors, a 23-year-old who had never been to Zombo before, had travelled with his father for the first time to meet his mother. The father remains missing.

Onlookers at the road crash scene. (Credit: Edna Piyic)

Ayikobua added that of the 13 rescued, five are men, while the rest are women and children.

Police in West Nile identified the survivors and confirmed that the accident occurred at River Nyagak in Abanga subcounty. The vehicle was being driven by a yet-to-be-identified driver.

Victims with serious injuries are Stephen Monday, a 53-year-old resident of Hoima, and Ronald Kasamba, 32, a resident of Anyola, Hoima.

Those with minor injuries are Joyce Thoringo, 35, Santorina Orach, Rose Abiro, 45, Scovia Acen, an 11-year-old juvenile, Florence Adubango, 32, Crispa Maditrwoth, a four-year-old male juvenile, Anyomirwoth, a three-month-old female juvenile, Gladys Atyeronimungu, 22, Semirwoth, a resident of Anyola, Godfrey Amiki, 22, and Stephen Enzu.