A tragic boat accident on the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route has claimed the lives of three people, including a toddler.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening when a passenger boat, traveling from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers State, capsized due to a windstorm near the Yellow Platform, close to Bonny Island.
The boat, carrying 22 passengers, encountered rough weather at approximately 5 pm. While 19 passengers were rescued, three individuals lost their lives. Two adult male victims and a young girl were confirmed dead, with the bodies later recovered by rescue teams.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, describing it as a sad event. She stated, “There were 22 people on board, unfortunately, three lost their lives. Two of the bodies were recovered initially, and the body of the young girl was later found. We are currently investigating the incident.”
Israel Pepple, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers Commercial District, also confirmed the incident was caused by a windstorm. He expressed sadness over the loss of life, including two male adults and a young girl, all of whom were traveling from Port Harcourt to Bonny.
The Bonny Local Government Council expressed condolences to the grieving families. In a statement issued by the Chairman, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, the council expressed deep sorrow over the crash, noting that the storm caused the boat to capsize. The statement emphasized that 19 survivors were immediately taken for medical care, with the costs covered by the local government.
“The Bonny Local Government Council is deeply saddened by the tragic boat crash that occurred on the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route, claiming the lives of two adults and a toddler,” the statement read. “We extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the repose of the departed souls.”
Claude-Wilcox also raised concerns about another passenger boat that reportedly passed the scene of the accident without offering help to the struggling victims. The council has launched an investigation into this incident and urged anyone with information about the boat involved to come forward.
The statement further advised travelers to be cautious of weather conditions and adhere to safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Local residents of Bonny Island have called for improved safety measures for passengers using the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route and for the swift completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road project to provide alternative transportation options.