Adewale Ajayi,
Over 20 people, including four siblings, died when two wooden boats capsized in Rivers State.
The tragic incident occurred on Andoni waterways in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday night, when two boats heading for Bonny, a neighbouring coastal council area capsized.
It was gathered that over 25 people were in the two boats when they capsized which was caused by heavy wave.
The rescue team that came hours later rescued some of the victims, including one Mr. Ayayi Promise and his wife, Rose Promise
Unfortunately the rescued couple’s four children and their grandchild drowned.
Executive chairman of Andoni LGA, Erastus Awortu, who confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday, expressed rude shock over the unfortunate incident while commiserating with the families and communities of those involved,Awortu said it is regretable that such a fatal accident occurred after having a successful festive celebrations, including unity carnivals in the council area.
He noted the council made efforts to save those who were alive by offering first aid assistance to the injured,while efforts were made to recover the bodies of those drowned, just as he promised to ameliorate the agony of families of the deceased and communities involved.
Awortu however, stressed the need for boat operators to ensure that their passengers totally comply with usage of safety measures, while on board, just as he warned against travelling on the sea in the night.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”