Boat mishap claims 2 in Bayelsa

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

A boat mishap on Bayelsa waterways has killed two passengers at Akede community in Bayelsa.

Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, DSP Musa Muhammad, confirmed the incident, adding that the speedboat driver was in police custody for questioning.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that 13 passengers on board the ill-fated boat were still missing.

The boat was plying Anyama-Ijaw Lobia-Foropa route in Southern Ijaw collided with a fishing boat along the watereays.

The accident occurred on Tuesday evening where two fisherwomen onboard the fishing boat were confirmed dead because the speedboat collided with  their fishing boat.

The passengers onboard the speedboat were yet to be found.

A witness said some divers were already on the waterways to see if any of the missing passengers could be rescued.

He stated that a speed boat named Meeting Marine, powered by a 115 Horse Power engine was travelling from Anyama Ijaw towards Lobia and Foropa communities when it collided with a fishing boat at the Akede Community waterfront.

It was also gathered that a woman and a young girl from the fishing boat tragically drowned, while passengers in the speedbot sank into the river.

The Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, Mr Ogoniba Ipigansi also confirmed the incident, saying the union and divers were already on their way to Akede community waterfront for rescue mission.

He confirmed the death of two fisherwomen onboard the wooden fishing boat, saying other 13 passengers onboard the speedboat had yet to be seen.

According to him. all the passengers onboard the speedboat wore life jackets, expressing hope that they might be rescued.

Ipigansi notrd that the union was alerted to the accident and and the communication challenge hampered their rescue operations as network was challenging in the area.