At least three people have died in a tragic boat accident in Rivers State. The incident took place on Sunday evening when a boat traveling from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island capsized due to high waves caused by a sudden ocean storm.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the Rivers State police spokesperson, reported that 19 passengers were rescued from the water. The boat, carrying 22 passengers, overturned near the Yellow Platform, close to Bonny Island, and three people, including a young girl, drowned.
Iringe-Koko confirmed that the police have launched an investigation into the cause of the tragedy.
In a separate statement, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, offered his condolences to the victims’ families. He also called on boat operators and passengers to follow safety protocols to avoid future incidents. Claude-Wilcox added that local authorities are working with the police on the investigation and confirmed that the 19 survivors have been taken to the hospital at the Bonny Council’s expense. The council is also continuing to gather information about a boat that allegedly failed to assist with rescue efforts and is asking anyone with information about the boat’s captain to come forward.
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