Authorities in the North West Nile region have launched a search for a man who is believed to have jumped off the Laropi Ferry into the River Nile in a suspected suicide attempt on Tuesday evening.
Witnesses aboard the ferry said the man, who has not yet been identified, removed his shoes and left them behind before leaping into the water midway through the crossing.
He reportedly made no statements or gestures to those around him before disappearing into the river.
North West Nile regional police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Ignatius Dragudu, confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.
He noted that the man had not registered in the ferry’s passenger book at the Laropi Landing Site, making identification more difficult.
“We have mounted a search. I urge the public to avoid making rushed decisions, as it is not a solution to any problem,” SP Dragudu said, calling on communities to prioritise mental health and support mechanisms.
This incident comes just two weeks after a tragic accident at Omi Landing Site in Adjumani District, where a woman and her two-day-old granddaughter died when their vehicle, registration number UND 692P, plunged into the River Nile moments before the ferry’s final departure of the day.
The Ministry of Works and Transport manages the Laropi and Obongi ferries, which are key to the movement of people and goods in the Ma’di sub-region. Despite the recent incidents, accidents involving the ferries remain relatively rare.
Authorities continue to investigate both cases, urging the public to remain cautious and to report any suspicious or concerning behaviour along ferry routes.