Twenty persons have been reportedly dead and some missing when two boats capsized in Rivers State.
The incident was said to have involved 25 Passenger boats in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.
It was learn that the 25 passengers were inside the two fishing boats when they were struck by a heavy wave that destroyed the boats.
The chairman of Andoni LGA, expressed shock and condolences to the families and communities of the victims following the tragic event.
The unfortunate incident was said to have happened on Tuesday night in the Andoni waterways while the two passenger boats were on their way to Bonny, a nearby coastal town.
The Chairman of Andoni local government area, Erastus Awortu, who revealed the occurrence in a statement he signed early on Wednesday, January 10, in Port Harcourt, expressed shock and amazement at the tragedy and offered his condolences to the victims’ families and communities involved.
He regretted that the fatal accident occured after successful festive celebrations, including unity carnivals in the council area.
Awortu noted the council’s efforts to save those who were alive, offer first aide assistance to the injured and recover bodies of the dead from the river; as he promised to cushion the pains of the deceased families and communities in this their trying moments.
The council chairman however, harped on the need for boat operators to insist on total compliance of all passengers to safety measures, and warned against night travels by sea.
The statement read: “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 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.
“Our hearts go out to the families and communities of victims of this unfortunate disaster especially Ngo Town, Ataba, Isiama and other communities whose loved ones where involved in the boat mishap.
“We share in their pain and trauma, our prayers and thoughts are with them in this moment of grief.
“We will do whatever we can as a Local Government to reduce the burden of grief of the bereaved families and communities.
“While we bemoan the boat mishap which came at a time when our people were still basking in the mood of a successful festive season in Andoni, we call on operators of water transportation in Andoni to ensure strict compliance of all passengers to safety rules.
“We also warn the operators to desist from embarking on night journey on sea.”