3 dead as boat sinks canoe in Port Harcourt

Okafor Ofiebor /Port Harcourt

Divers battled all through Thursday to recover the corpses of occupants of a canoe that capsized after a boat on a high speed passing through Kalo Ama River enroute Okrika in Okrika local government area in Rivers State sank it.

The ill-fated canoe, according to eyewitnesses was carrying three passengers made-up of a man, woman and a 13-year old boy coming back from fishing expedition.

According to the account, the boat owned by Splash Passport, was on a high speed when it sank the canoe.

As at the time of filing this report, divers and rescuers were only able to recover the corpse of a male passenger yet to be identified.

A boat driver who gave his name as Sotonye Marcus, appealed to the government and maritime transportation regulatory agencies to sensitize speed boat owners to always apply caution and safety rules when riding on the river for the sake of smaller boats.

“We ask that the State Government should look into the matter and speak with companies around the river,” Marcus added.

The search is still on to recover the remaining bodies when our correspondent left the shores of the marine base in Port Harcourt.