Nine Children Rescued, One Missing In Anambra Rain Flood
One child has been declared missing in heavy rain induced flood swept through Awka, the capital of Anambra on Tuesday morning.
Nine persons were rescued in the incident which occurred at the Obibia bridge section of the Nibo–Isiagu Road, Awka.
The flood which affected many parts of Anambra was due to heavy and sustained rainfall which started at about midnight Monday and stopped around 9:30am.
The school children who set out early to beat resumption time caught up by the flood and seen on top of a vehicle which ran into heavy flood and toppled.
The children were able to hang on to the topmost part of the vehicle where they were trapped for hours before an alarm was raised and rescuers arrived.
The Police Command in Anambra has confirmed the incident.
SP Toochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said the rescue operation was carried out by Police Safe School Operatives in collaboration with concerned members of the community.
Ikenga said search and rescue was still ongoing and would continue until the remaining persons were located and accounted for.
“Upon receiving information about the incident, the Safe School Operatives swiftly mobilised to the area and, working with members of the community, rescued seven school children and two adults and moved them to safety.
“One additional child involved in the incident is still unaccounted for,” he said.
Ikenga urges parents, guardians, school authorities and motorists to exercise extreme caution around flooded roads, bridges and waterways during periods of heavy rainfall.
According to him, parents and guardians are also advised to ensure that children do not attempt to cross flooded or otherwise dangerous routes.
