At least 20 persons died Wednesday evening when the engine of a wooden boat, carrying mainly market women exploded in the middle of the river and sank in Ezetu I community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the Bayelsa State.
The ill-fated boat was said to be heading to Yenagoa from Ekene on the Atlantic fringe of the council area when the incident happened.
It was gathered that the only passenger that survived is in critical condition is currently on admission at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, NDUTH, Okolobiri in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesman of the state police command, Musa Muhammed, who confirmed the incident on Thursday, said rescue operations were ongoing to recover the drowned passengers of the ill-fated boat.
He said, “The local boat travelling from Ekeni community in Southern Ijaw to Yenagoa had a mishap and sank, 20 persons were reported to have lost their lives. Efforts are ongoing to recover their corpses.”
Governor Douye Diri has expressed sadness over the accident.
Governor Douye Diri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Daniel Alabrah, has expressed sadness over the accident and condoled the families of the victims.
The governor said, “The news of another tragic boat accident in our state was shocking and sad. On behalf of the state government, I extend my deepest condolences to families of victims.
“Upon hearing the news of the tragedy, I immediately directed the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and other relevant government organs to dispatch their teams to the river point to join the rescue efforts.
“This is yet one boat accident too many and the state government will take measures to avert such avoidable tragedy going forward. We will investigate the cause(s) of this mishap.”
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