A tragic boat mishap on Tuesday evening in Akede community, located in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has resulted in the deaths of two women and left 13 passengers missing. The incident, which occurred when a speedboat collided with a fishing boat, has left residents and authorities in shock as the search for the missing passengers continues.
The accident took place when a speedboat, traveling along the Anyama-Ijaw to Lobia-Foropa route in Southern Ijaw, collided with a fishing boat at the Akede community waterfront. Eyewitnesses say the impact of the collision caused severe damage to both vessels, leading to the unfortunate loss of life and a desperate search for those still missing.
According to the police spokesperson in the state, DSP Musa Muhammad, the speedboat driver has been taken into police custody for questioning. The authorities are investigating the cause of the collision, which involved the speedboat named “Meeting Marine,” which was powered by a 115-horsepower engine.
Reports indicate that the speedboat was traveling from Anyama-Ijaw to Lobia and Foropa communities when it struck the fishing boat. Tragically, two women, one aboard the speedboat and the other aboard the fishing boat, lost their lives as a result of the crash.
A source involved in the rescue operation told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the missing 13 passengers were aboard the speedboat, and as of the latest reports, they have not been found. The authorities have been conducting search and rescue operations in the area, with divers already dispatched to locate the missing individuals.
The search effort has been led by local authorities, maritime workers, and rescue divers who are working tirelessly to recover the missing passengers. The Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, Mr. Ogoniba Ipigansi, confirmed the tragic news, stating that both the union and rescue teams were on the scene, aiding in the rescue efforts.
“Divers are actively searching the water to rescue the missing passengers. We are doing everything we can, and we hope that the passengers will be found soon,” Ipigansi said. Despite the grim circumstances, he expressed hope that the passengers, all of whom were reported to have worn life jackets, may still be alive.
Though the two women who were on the fishing boat did not survive the mishap, there is some optimism surrounding the rescue of the remaining 13 passengers due to the presence of life jackets, which are believed to have helped some passengers stay afloat in the turbulent waters.
The use of life jackets in the incident has been a point of focus for both the rescuers and the families of the missing passengers. According to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, all 13 passengers aboard the speedboat had been wearing life jackets, which has raised hopes for their safe recovery.
While life jackets are no guarantee of survival in such situations, they significantly increase the chances of survival by helping individuals stay above water in the event of a mishap. The fact that all passengers on the speedboat were reportedly wearing life jackets has provided a glimmer of hope for the authorities as they continue their search efforts.
Mr. Ipigansi has called on the relevant authorities to ensure proper investigation into the cause of the accident, and he urged for better safety measures to be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. “This is a sad and unfortunate incident, and we must ensure that similar accidents do not occur again. Safety protocols need to be strictly enforced,” Ipigansi added.
The authorities have already begun their investigation into the incident, with the speedboat driver currently in police custody. DSP Musa Muhammad confirmed that the driver of the speedboat was being questioned, although the specific details of the investigation remain unclear at this time.
The police are likely to investigate factors such as the speed of the boat, whether any technical malfunction occurred, or if any human error contributed to the collision. Eyewitnesses have reported that the accident took place in a relatively dark area near the waterfront, which could have contributed to the severity of the crash. However, the exact cause of the collision is yet to be determined.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety in water transportation across Nigeria, especially in coastal and riverine areas like Bayelsa State. With many communities relying on boats for transportation, the risks of accidents remain high, especially during bad weather or when proper safety measures are not followed.
Boat accidents in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta region, have been a longstanding issue, with incidents involving overloading, lack of life-saving equipment, and poor vessel maintenance contributing to frequent mishaps. Authorities and safety experts have long called for better regulation of the water transport sector, including stricter enforcement of safety standards such as ensuring that boats are equipped with life jackets, life buoys, and trained personnel.
In Bayelsa State, where waterways are a primary mode of transport for many residents, the tragic incident has drawn attention to the need for more stringent regulations to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent accidents.
Locals in the Akede community have been deeply affected by the incident. Many residents expressed their shock and sorrow over the tragic loss of life and the disappearance of the 13 passengers. The fishing community, which is already grappling with economic challenges, has been particularly affected, as the victims of the accident were part of their close-knit network.
“We are all very worried. The people in this community are like family to each other, and this kind of tragedy has left everyone in a state of disbelief,” said a resident of Akede. “We just hope and pray that those still missing will be found and brought back to safety.”
A tragic boat mishap on Tuesday evening in Akede community, located in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has resulted in the deaths of two women and left 13 passengers missing. The incident, which occurred when a speedboat collided with a fishing boat, has left residents and authorities in shock as the search for the missing passengers continues.
The accident took place when a speedboat, traveling along the Anyama-Ijaw to Lobia-Foropa route in Southern Ijaw, collided with a fishing boat at the Akede community waterfront. Eyewitnesses say the impact of the collision caused severe damage to both vessels, leading to the unfortunate loss of life and a desperate search for those still missing.
According to the police spokesperson in the state, DSP Musa Muhammad, the speedboat driver has been taken into police custody for questioning. The authorities are investigating the cause of the collision, which involved the speedboat named “Meeting Marine,” which was powered by a 115-horsepower engine.
Reports indicate that the speedboat was traveling from Anyama-Ijaw to Lobia and Foropa communities when it struck the fishing boat. Tragically, two women, one aboard the speedboat and the other aboard the fishing boat, lost their lives as a result of the crash.
A source involved in the rescue operation told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the missing 13 passengers were aboard the speedboat, and as of the latest reports, they have not been found. The authorities have been conducting search and rescue operations in the area, with divers already dispatched to locate the missing individuals.
The search effort has been led by local authorities, maritime workers, and rescue divers who are working tirelessly to recover the missing passengers. The Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, Mr. Ogoniba Ipigansi, confirmed the tragic news, stating that both the union and rescue teams were on the scene, aiding in the rescue efforts.
“Divers are actively searching the water to rescue the missing passengers. We are doing everything we can, and we hope that the passengers will be found soon,” Ipigansi said. Despite the grim circumstances, he expressed hope that the passengers, all of whom were reported to have worn life jackets, may still be alive.
Though the two women who were on the fishing boat did not survive the mishap, there is some optimism surrounding the rescue of the remaining 13 passengers due to the presence of life jackets, which are believed to have helped some passengers stay afloat in the turbulent waters.
The use of life jackets in the incident has been a point of focus for both the rescuers and the families of the missing passengers. According to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, all 13 passengers aboard the speedboat had been wearing life jackets, which has raised hopes for their safe recovery.
While life jackets are no guarantee of survival in such situations, they significantly increase the chances of survival by helping individuals stay above water in the event of a mishap. The fact that all passengers on the speedboat were reportedly wearing life jackets has provided a glimmer of hope for the authorities as they continue their search efforts.
Mr. Ipigansi has called on the relevant authorities to ensure proper investigation into the cause of the accident, and he urged for better safety measures to be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. “This is a sad and unfortunate incident, and we must ensure that similar accidents do not occur again. Safety protocols need to be strictly enforced,” Ipigansi added.
The authorities have already begun their investigation into the incident, with the speedboat driver currently in police custody. DSP Musa Muhammad confirmed that the driver of the speedboat was being questioned, although the specific details of the investigation remain unclear at this time.
The police are likely to investigate factors such as the speed of the boat, whether any technical malfunction occurred, or if any human error contributed to the collision. Eyewitnesses have reported that the accident took place in a relatively dark area near the waterfront, which could have contributed to the severity of the crash. However, the exact cause of the collision is yet to be determined.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety in water transportation across Nigeria, especially in coastal and riverine areas like Bayelsa State. With many communities relying on boats for transportation, the risks of accidents remain high, especially during bad weather or when proper safety measures are not followed.
Boat accidents in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta region, have been a longstanding issue, with incidents involving overloading, lack of life-saving equipment, and poor vessel maintenance contributing to frequent mishaps. Authorities and safety experts have long called for better regulation of the water transport sector, including stricter enforcement of safety standards such as ensuring that boats are equipped with life jackets, life buoys, and trained personnel.
In Bayelsa State, where waterways are a primary mode of transport for many residents, the tragic incident has drawn attention to the need for more stringent regulations to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent accidents.
Locals in the Akede community have been deeply affected by the incident. Many residents expressed their shock and sorrow over the tragic loss of life and the disappearance of the 13 passengers. The fishing community, which is already grappling with economic challenges, has been particularly affected, as the victims of the accident were part of their close-knit network.
“We are all very worried. The people in this community are like family to each other, and this kind of tragedy has left everyone in a state of disbelief,” said a resident of Akede. “We just hope and pray that those still missing will be found and brought back to safety.”
