Three people, including a toddler, tragically lost their lives in a boating accident on Sunday evening, 19th January 2025, near Bonny Island in Rivers State. The passenger boat, carrying 22 people, capsized during a severe storm while travelling from Port Harcourt to Bonny.
According to the Rivers State Police Command, three bodies have been recovered. Nineteen passengers were rescued. The Chairman of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Rivers Commercial District, confirmed the incident was caused by a strong windstorm.
Bonny Local Government Chairman, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. In a statement, she revealed that a preliminary investigation points to a sudden storm as the cause of the mishap.
Claude-Wilcox also condemned the actions of another boat that reportedly passed the scene without offering assistance to the victims. She urged travellers to prioritise safety and avoid travelling during inclement weather.
