In Rivers State on Tuesday night, a boat accident claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals.
The unfortunate incident took place on Andoni waterways in Andoni Local Government Area of the State when two passenger boats heading for Bonny, a neighboring coastal council area, capsized.
Erastus Awortu, the chairman of Andoni LGA, confirmed the incident in a statement, expressing deep shock and offering condolences to the families and communities of the victims
The statement reads in part, “We received with rude shock and deep pain a disturbing report that over 20 persons from Andoni are feared dead in boat mishap involving two Andoni/Bonny-bound boats which occurred within the Andoni waterways on Tuesday, January 9, 2024
“Upon receiving the sad development, we immediately dispatched our team to join the first responders on a rescue mission at the scene of the incident in a bid to salvage the situation.
“We are closely monitoring the situation to offer further support, especially to give the survivors necessary medical attention and recover the remains of the dead from the sea.”
Kanyi Daily recalls that tragedy struck as over 20 fishermen lost their lives in a boat mishap on the Benue River