Tragedy struck on Wednesday evening when approximately twenty people were burned to death after a wooden market boat, known locally as the ‘Denghe market boat,’ exploded and sank in the middle of a river near Ezetu 1 community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Musa Muhammed, confirmed the incident on Thursday. He reported that rescue operations are currently underway to recover the bodies of the passengers who drowned in the accident.
“The local boat, traveling from Ekeni community in Southern Ijaw to Yenagoa, had a mishap and sank. About 20 people are reported to have lost their lives, and efforts are ongoing to recover their bodies,” said Muhammed.
According to sources from the community, the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. as the boat, carrying passengers and market women, was returning from Ezetu Community to Swali Market in Yenagoa. The market boat, which regularly travels from community to community along the coast, serving as a mobile market, caught fire and exploded en route.
Mr. Ipigansi Ogoniba, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union in Bayelsa State, confirmed the incident, explaining that the boat’s engine caught fire mid-river while heading towards Okubie community, leading to the vessel burning and sinking.
“The boat left Ezetu 1 around 3 p.m. and was en route to Okubie when the engine exploded, causing the boat to catch fire and sink. Some of the passengers drowned. The location had no network coverage to reach rescue teams in Yenagoa, and given the distance, it takes about 18 hours for the wooden boat to reach Yenagoa, while a speedboat takes about 5 hours,” Ogoniba said.
As of the latest reports, only one body has been recovered, and the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed as the search operation continues.
Comrade Odede Dinikpete Tina, Chairperson of the Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, blamed the high number of casualties on the failure of boat operators to enforce safety protocols, particularly the use of life jackets. She called on the state government to improve road connectivity to coastal communities to reduce the frequency of river accidents. Despite safety campaigns, many passengers still refuse to wear life jackets while traveling on the waterways.
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