The Rivers state police command has confirmed the deaths of three person in after a passenger boat capsized on Sunday evening in Rivers state.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that 19 passengers were rescued from the tragic incident.
She explained that the boat was en route from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island in Bonny Local Government Area (LGA) when a sudden ocean storm caused high waves, resulting in the mishap.
Koko explained that there were 22 passengers on board the ill-fated boat, but unfortunately, three individuals lost their lives.
She said: “The bodies of the three victims, including a young girl, have been recovered. The accident occurred near the Yellow Platform close to Bonny,” she added.
Also, the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council, Mr Anengi Claude-Wilcox confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the Council Secretary, John Gabriel-Pepple.
Claude-Wilcox said that preliminary investigation by the council revealed that the boat’s captain lost control after a sudden rise in the oceanic storm.
“The incident claimed the lives of two adults and a toddler, while 19 survivors were immediately taken to the hospital at the expense of the Bonny Council.”