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At Least 20 Dead As Boat Explodes, Sinks In Bayelsa
The cargo boat, carrying farm produce from a rural settlement, was headed to Swali market in Yenagoa when the accident occurred.
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State- At least 20 people have been confirmed dead after a wooden cargo boat, identified as “Godbless Dickson,” laden with cargo and carrying over 64 passengers and crew, exploded in the Bayelsa waterways.
It was gathered that the incident occurred along the Ezetu 1 community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Wednesday, August 7.
The spokesperson for the state police command, ASP Musa Mohammed, confirmed to journalists that 20 people have been confirmed dead in the incident. He added that the Marine Police unit’s rescue efforts are still ongoing.
The cargo boat, carrying farm produce from a rural settlement, was headed to Swali market in Yenagoa when the accident occurred.
Ogoniba Ipigansi, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Bayelsa Chapter, commented on the incident, and stated that the union had dispatched a rescue team consisting of two speedboats to assist the passengers.
He noted that the exact number of casualties is still unknown, as the rescue operation is ongoing and several passengers remain unaccounted for.
Mr Augustine Amayoro, a speedboat operator involved in the rescue efforts, reported rescuing 10 people but leaving other passengers stranded at a nearby fishing camp.
It was reported that wooden cargo boats were exempted from the state government’s ban on night navigation on waterways.
Due to their slow speed, the cargo boats typically set sail a day in advance of the targeted weekly market days on Thursdays.