Storm Capsizes Boat Near Bonny, Leaving 3 Dead and 19 Rescued

A tragic boat accident occurred on Sunday evening around 5 p.m. near the area known as ‘Yellow Platform’, not far from Bonny, as a result of a sudden and fierce windstorm. The boat, which had departed from the Bonny/Nembe/Bille Waterfront Jetty in Port Harcourt, was carrying 22 passengers when the unfortunate incident took place.

While 19 of the passengers were rescued, three lives were lost in the capsizing — two male adults and a young girl. The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, expressing her sadness over the loss of life. She stated, “It is very sad, but 19 passengers were rescued alive. The boat capsized at Yellow Platform in Bonny while en route from Port Harcourt. Investigations are ongoing.”

The Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers Commercial District, Israel Pepple, also confirmed that the boat capsized due to the windstorm. Authorities have assured the public that investigations into the cause of the tragedy are underway.