No fewer than twenty lives were reportedly lost in a boat mishap in Bayelsa state.

It was gathered that the engine of the wooden boat popularly known as ‘Denghe’ exploded in the middle of the river and sank at Ezetu I community river in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the Bayelsa State.

The sole survivor of the tragic incident which occurred Wednesday evening, was said to be in critical condition in the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, NDUTH, Okolobiri in Yenagoa local government area.

Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, expressed sadness over the boat accident.

It was learned that the ill-fated boat was journeying from Ekeni on the Atlantic fringe of the council area to Yenagoa when the tragedy occured.

Spokesman of the state police command, ASP Musa Muhammed, who confirmed the incident on Thursday, said rescue operations are ongoing to recover the drowned passengers of the ill-fated boat.

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He said: “The local boat traveling from Ekeni community in Southern Ijaw to Yenagoa had a mishap and sank, about 20 persons were reported to have lost their lives; efforts are ongoing to recover their corpse.”

Occupants of the local boat were mainly market women when the vessel went up in flames after the engine allegedly exploded. It was learned that the market boat usually goes from community to community along the coastal areas to do makeshift market before returning to Yenagoa on a weekly basis.

Meanwhile, Governor Duoye Diri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, expressed the condolences of the state government to families of victims of the mishap.

He also directed the relevant ministries to immediately join the rescue efforts.

The governor said investigation will be conducted into the cause of the accident and urged boat operators to always observe safety procedures on the state’s waterways.

“The news of another tragic boat accident in our state was shocking and sad. On behalf of the state government, I extend my deepest condolences to families of victims.

“Upon hearing the news of the tragedy, I immediately directed the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and other relevant government organs to dispatch their teams to the river point to join the rescue efforts.

“This is yet one boat accident too many and the state government will take measures to avert such avoidable tragedy going forward. We will investigate the cause(s) of this mishap.

“I again implore boat operators in the state to ensure they observe proper safety procedures at all times in order to make our waterways safer.”