Eight people are feared dead at Azizanya. They are said to have drowned in at the Ada estuary.

The incident which occurred around 9:00am on Saturday was allegedly caused by strong winds.

Residents of Agbeve community blame the dredging activities in the area, which they say has confirmed their fears.

The residents explained that the accident was due to flow velocity due to increased water depth, leading to a recorded increase in volumes of incoming water into the estuary which makes underwater current heavier and swifter.

They noted that boats could be at the mercy of such currents depending on the nature of the vessel.

According to reports, the boats used by the residents from the same community of Azizanya-Kewunor capsized because they were overloaded.

Reports also had it that the residents who were on their way to a funeral at Kasseh in Ada had no life jackets on.

Search is still currently ongoing for more people suspected to have drowned.

According to some of the survivors, they alerted the sailor about the overload. The boat was supposed to carry about 25 people but loaded more than 60 passengers.

The incident unfortunately happened mid way into the journey, resulting in the loss of the 8, including 3 children and 2 women.

The sailor has been reportedly arrested to help with investigation