Tragedy struck in Bayelsa's Southern Ijaw Local Government Area when a speedboat carrying 15 passengers capsized on the Okubie River, leaving one person dead. The incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, has raised fresh concerns about waterway safety in the region.
According to the Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union, Ipgansi Ogoniba, 14 passengers were rescued from the river near Okubie community, but one individual tragically drowned. The cause of the accident remains unclear.
This latest mishap comes just two weeks after a wooden cargo boat exploded and sank in Ezetu, another community within the same local government area, claiming 20 lives. In response to that tragedy, the Bayelsa State government had reinforced safety protocols, including the mandatory use of life jackets on all passenger boats.
An eyewitness, who chose to remain anonymous, reported that the boat was en route from Yenagoa to Oporoma, the Southern Ijaw LGA headquarters, when the incident occurred. The witness suggested that the rising water levels due to the rainy season may have contributed to the accident, complicating navigation along the waterways.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident as they reinforce the importance of adhering to safety measures on the region's rivers and creeks.
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