Marine divers kick-start search for missing water experts in Aswa river

Eight Marine divers have kick-started the search for missing persons three days after two people drowned in Aswa River in Angagura Sub County, Pader district.

The deceased met their death on Monday after the canoe they were using capsized during their visit to Achwa Hydropower station, in Aswa River to carry out routine water level tests.
The deceased are Joseph Wafula, a Kenyan national and a consultant with PAC_SPC, a company that was subcontracted by the Ministry of Water and Environment and Charles Komakech, a resident of Angagura Sub County.
The survivors who managed to swim to the shores of the river are Mr. Douglas Omona, a resident of the Angagura trading center and Simon Otinga a resident of Atanga Sub County.
In an interview with Daily Monitor on Thursday Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Pader, Dusman Okee said the marine divers started the search on Thursday.
“On Wednesday, eight divers arrived at the site, surveyed the area, took water measurement and as we talk now they have kick-started the search and we are optimistic that the bodies will be retrieved,’’ he said
According to an eye witness James Okello, there were four people on a very small canoe and the waves were too strong.
“The boat overturned several times, we saw them fighting for their lives but we could not help them out, they raised their hands for help without any success, only the two who managed to swim survive,’’ he said.
DPC Pader Tom Bainomugisha confirmed to Daily Monitor that the divers are already on the ground for the mission and we hope the dead bodies will be retrieved.
Ministry of Water and Environment sends consultants to the Achwa Hydropower project site every six months to monitor water levels and compliance with Environmental Safety maps for the project.
The incident brings to three the total number of people that have so far died after drowning in Achwa River in 2019 alone.