One dead, several missing after truck plunges into River Nile

Locals gather at the scene where the truck entered the waters. Courtesy photo

PAKWACH: one person has been confirmed dead, while several others are still missing after a vehicle they were travelling in plunged into River Nile.

According to Police reports, the incident involving a yellow Canter truck registration number UBA 094Z happened at 5am Sunday morning, about 300 meters away from Gaaga bus stage in Pakwach Town council.

The Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema confirmed the incident in a press statement on Sunday.

He noted that the vehicle had more than 20 passengers from Pabbo Sub-county in Amuru district who were travelling to Panyimur Market, one of the largest fish markets in the region.

Mr Okema said the incident happened after the driver lost control of the truck when they were taking scrap metals to be sold at Lubiri landing site before proceeding to Panyimur Market.

He noted that police with the help of locals have recovered a body of one of the traders whose identity was still unclear.

“The braking system failed and the vehicle continued up to the water. Police together with concerned citizens have already rescued 12 people whom they have rushed to Pakwach hospital for treatment,” Mr Okema said.

“Efforts for continued search are still on going. We call for calmness from the public, we shall do everything possible to recover all bodies from the water dead or alive,” he added.

He however said the driver of the truck identified only as Johnson, 27 years, a resident of Nwoya district who survived the incident is on the run.

The Pakwach District Chairperson Mr Robert Osteen Omito when contacted described the incident as unfortunate and a big blow to the business communities in the two regions.

He noted that efforts to rescue or retrieve bodies of those who have died in water are being hampered by the absence of police marine divers in the district.

“We appeal to the police marine department to intervene and help in the search for the bodies of those missing,” Mr Omito said.