By Chukwudi Akasike
SEVEN persons, including three children, lost their lives on Thursday during a boat accident in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
A community source told our correspondent that the boat capsized after facing a strong wind in the middle of the sea in Bonny.
The boat was moving from Bonny to Port Harcourt when the unfortunate incident occurred at about 4pm.
The PUNCH learnt that though the number of those on board the ill-fated boat had not been ascertained, some other children on board were said to be missing as of the time of filing this report.
It was learnt that a priest, whose name was not immediately given, survived the accident.
The source, who spoke with The PUNCH on the telephone, explained that the priest, who was considered dead, woke up as the bodies of all the deceased were being taken to a mortuary.
“It was a local boat and we learnt that seven lives were lost. Unfortunately there are even some children they have not found. There was a very terrible wind and a heavy rain this morning.
“Maybe the wind caught the boat in the middle of the sea. They said a priest that was supposedly dead; by the time they moved to Port Harcourt, at the mortuary, he (priest) came back. We have not verified that anyway, but we are all praying that such news (revival of the priest) should be true.
“The priest we are talking about is a very close person to me. He lives in the same house with my pastor. Government must ensure that boat drivers are well trained and certified before being allowed to convey anybody,” the source from Bonny told our correspondent.
Spokesman for the police in the state, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident, but added that he had yet to get details of what happened, including the number of those who lost their lives.
“I can confirm to you that there was a boat mishap, but the detail is still sketchy. I will get back to you as soon as I am fully briefed on it,” Omoni said.
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