Tragic boat explosion claims over 20 lives in Bayelsa

More than 20 people have lost their lives following an explosion in the engine of a wooden boat, commonly known as ‘Denghe,’ which sank in the Ezetu I community river in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday evening.

The sole survivor, who is in critical condition, is receiving treatment at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) in Okolobiri, Yenagoa Local Government Area. The ill-fated boat was traveling from Ekene, on the Atlantic fringe of the council area, to Yenagoa when the explosion happened.

Governor Douye Diri expressed deep sadness over the accident and extended his condolences to the affected families. The state police command spokesperson, Musa Muhammed, confirmed the incident and stated that rescue operations are ongoing to recover the bodies of the drowned passengers.

He said: “The local boat travelling from Ekeni community in Southern Ijaw to Yenagoa had a mishap and sank, 20 persons were reported to have lost their lives. Efforts are ongoing to recover their corpses.”

Multiple sources told Vanguard that the unfortunate incident occurred about 4:30p.m., Wednesday.
Occupants of the local boat were mainly market women when the vessel went up in flames after the engine allegedly exploded. It was learned that the market boat usually goes from community to community along the coastal areas to do makeshift market before returning to Yenagoa on a weekly basis.

Chairman of Maritime Workers Union, Bayelsa State chapter, Ipgansi Ogoniba, while confirming the accident, said the local boat went up in flame in the middle of the river while the boat was sailing to Ukubie community and burnt some of the passengers onboard.

He said the number of casualties could not be immediately ascertained as search and rescue operation was ongoing late Wednesday.

Chairperson of Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria in the state, Odede Tina, blamed the large number of casualty on the inability of the boat operators in the state to stick to safety protocols, especially wearing life jacket while onboard and pleaded with the state government to intensity effort in linking more coastal communities by road in order to curb incessant loss of lives in the river.

Reacting to the tragic incident, the chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, Target Segibo, described the mishap as most unfortunate and a great loss to the family members of the victims and the council area.

Diri expresses sadness
Diri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, expressed the condolences of the state government to families of victims of the mishap.

The governor said: “The news of another tragic boat accident in our state was shocking and sad. On behalf of the state government, I extend my deepest condolences to families of victims.

“Upon hearing the news of the tragedy, I immediately directed the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and other relevant government organs to dispatch their teams to the river point to join the rescue efforts.

“This is yet one boat accident too many and the state government will take measures to avert such avoidable tragedy going forward. We will investigate the cause(s) of this mishap.

“I again implore boat operators in the state to ensure they observe proper safety procedures at all times in order to make our waterways safer.”