In a devastating incident on the Gelegele River in Ovia South West Local Government of Edo State, one person has tragically lost their life, while four others sustained injuries due to a boat mishap. Reports from the area suggest that seven individuals may have lost their lives in the same incident.
Eyewitness Iyke Ayedi shared photos from the scene, revealing that several persons are still missing. The boat accident occurred on Thursday, October 19, 2023, when a passenger boat collided with an oil barge owned by a multinational oil company operating in the area. The tragic collision took place as the oil barge awaited refueling after running out of fuel.
Most of the passengers on the boat were market women from the Ofunama community, returning from their market activities. Thanks to the prompt response of the Marine Police of the Edo State Police Command stationed in the area, a major tragedy was averted, and many of the victims were successfully rescued. The incident has been confirmed by a senior staff member of the oil company, who stated that the company is addressing the matter.
According to the company source, the police and the Army speed boat were actively involved in the rescue operations and witnessed the entire incident. The community chairman, who works for the company that owns the barge, was present during the incident and mobilized local divers for the rescue operations.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, has confirmed the accident, stating that one person lost their life, four were injured, and the remaining passengers were rescued unharmed. The People’s Public Relations (PPR) urges individuals to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents in the future.
