MAIDUGURI: At least 20 persons are feared dead following a boat accident involving two passenger boats en route from Andoni to Bonny island in Nigeria’s coastal Rivers State. The accident, occurring last night along the Andoni waterways, marks the first such maritime tragedy in the region this year.
Erastus Awortu, Chairman of Andoni local government area, confirmed the incident and stated that upon receiving news of the tragic development, a rescue mission was immediately dispatched to the scene. However, no details regarding survivors were provided in the initial statement.
Boat accidents in Nigerian waterways are often attributed to overcrowding and poor maintenance. Last year witnessed nearly 200 deaths in boat accidents across the country. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in June, claiming over 100 lives when an overloaded boat capsized in Niger State.
Expressing condolences to the affected families, Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara affirmed a commitment to address threats to safe sea travel, stating, “We will ensure that such threats against safe traveling on our sea routes are tackled.”
