A passenger boat in Rivers State’s Bonny Local Government Area collapsed on Sunday night while sailing from Port Harcourt to Bonny, killing three persons, including a youngster.
It was discovered that the storm that happened at 5 p.m. on Bonny Island at a place known as “Yellow Platform” was the cause of the disaster.
The boat capsized due to the storm, killing three persons, despite the fact that it was believed to have transported 22 passengers from Port Harcourt’s Bonny/Nembe/Bille Waterfront Jetty.
On the phone with our correspondent on Monday afternoon, Grace Iringe-Koko, the state police command spokesman, confirmed the incident and described it as “sad.”
“There were 22 people on board, but we lost three,” Iringe-Koko explained. Following the rescue of two bodies, the girl’s body was discovered.
Despite the tragedy, 19 passengers were saved. The boat overturned on the Yellow Platform in Bonny while heading from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island. The investigation is still underway.
Furthermore, Israel Pepple, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in the Rivers Commercial District, confirmed the police’s claim that a windstorm caused the catastrophe.
Pepple said, “That’s correct. A boat accident happened yesterday, Sunday. We lost a girl, as well as two adult males. After departing Port Harcourt, the boat proceeded to Bonny, where their remains were discovered.
Meanwhile, officials from Bonny Local Government have expressed their sympathies to the deceased’s relatives.
In a statement signed by the council secretary, John Gabriel-Pepple, and released on Monday, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, the chairman of Bonny LGA, expressed her profound sadness over the event.
The Bonny Local Government Council is deeply saddened by the tragic boat accident that occurred on the Bonny-Port Harcourt maritime route on Sunday, January 19, 2025, killing two parents and a toddler, according to a portion of the statement.
According to preliminary investigations, the terrible disaster that took three lives was caused by a rapid rise in the oceanic storm that caused the boat to malfunction. Nineteen survivors were sent for immediate medical care at the cost of the Bonny Local Government.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, friends, and loved ones. May you be granted the fortitude and resilience to bear this terrible loss.
He added the council prayed for the rest of the departed souls and participated in their sorrow and suffering.
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However, Claude-Wilcox warned against traveling in choppy circumstances and stated that the council was looking into a passenger boat that was present at the scene but declined to help the victims.
The council was informed, regrettably, that a passenger boat had arrived at the scene of the event but had refused to stop in order to rescue the victims, who were fighting for their lives at sea, the statement continued.
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“Contact the council secretary if you have any helpful information regarding the specific boat driver. The Bonny Local Government Council suggests that in order to prevent a recurrence, passengers should be aware of the weather and properly follow the passenger ferry safety regulations.
According to reports, worried Bonny Island residents have persisted in urging the appropriate authorities to improve safety precautions for commuters using the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route and to push the Bodo-Bonny Road contractor to expedite work in order to guarantee its early completion.
