2 Adults And Toddler Dead As Passenger Boat Capsizes In Rivers State; 19 Rescued

The police in Rivers State confirmed on Tuesday that the boat capsized on Sunday evening leading to the death of two adults and a toddler while 19 passengers were rescued from the incident.

The police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said the boat was traveling from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island when a sudden storm caused high waves, leading to the capsizing. There were 22 passengers on board, and three people, including a young girl, tragically lost their lives.

The incident happened near the Yellow Platform, close to Bonny and their bodies have been recovered. The police have started an investigation into the matter, Premium Times reported.

The Chairperson of Bonny Local Government Council Anengi Claude-Wilcox also confirmed the incident through a statement issued by the Council Secretary, John Gabriel-Pepple.

Claude-Wilcox said the council's initial investigation showed that the boat captain lost control due to a sudden storm. The incident survivors were taken to the hospital, with the Bonny Council covering the expenses.

He expressed condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims. Claude-Wilcox also mentioned that the council was working with the police to investigate another passenger boat that was reportedly at the scene but did not help with the rescue efforts while passengers from the capsized boat struggled in the sea.

Claude-Wilcox urged anyone with information about the boat driver to contact the council secretary. He also advised travelers and boat operators to be cautious during their trips and follow safety guidelines to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Such incidents are very common in Nigeria as within the last three years, more than 900 people reportedly died in boat accidents.

Last year in October, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas shared his condolences with the families of the 100 passengers who are feared to be dead after a boat capsized in River Benue. In the same month, at least 22 people drowned after a boat capsized in the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

In 2023, a boat carrying 85 passengers capsized, leading to the death of 76 people in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. In May of that year, 15 children drowned, and 25 people went missing after a boat capsized in a river in Sokoto State.