By Mike Rwothomio
Pakwach: A man believed to be in his 20s is feared dead after a boat they were sailing in capsized on Albert Nile in Pakwach district.
The Tuesday, September 10 evening incident occurred after a strong wind blew off a narrow, wooden fishing vessel carrying two men, at Akero landing site, in Ragem Lower Parish, Ragem Sub-county.
Witnesses told this Publication that the two residents of Olyeju village, Ragem Lower Parish, Ragem Sub-County had gone on an evening fishing spree.
An area resident only identified as Peter said “Out of the two, one person was rescued by fishermen but the other one who failed to swim couldn’t be saved.”
Ocan Ngoz Richard, the LCIII Chairperson of Ragem Sub County confirmed the harrowing incident, attributing it to heavy downpours and strong winds.
“It indeed happened, the body has not been retrieved up to now,” Ocan told this Publication.
He added that “the rain came with a very strong wind. The wind was too much and that is what caused the incident. When the boat capsized, they tried swimming but the one who died didn’t know how to swim well”
The identity of the missing person was not clear by press time.
Yoacel Francis, a resident of Akero landing site revealed that a joint search for the missing person has been intensified by fishermen, locals and security personnel.
Last year cases of death by drowning were recorded on landing sites in the Sub- Counties of Panyimur, Pakwach, Wadelai and Ragem in Pakwach District.
