Eleven persons, including a driver, are feared dead following a boat mishap along the Escravos River in Warri South-West Council Area of Delta State on Friday.
The boat mishap along the estuary of the Atlantic Ocean was said to be as a result of a downpour during which time all passengers in the outboard engine boat were covered in a broad tarpaulin to prevent them from getting soaked and leaving only the boat driver standing to see ahead while piloting the passengers’ vessel.
The incident was reported to have happened between a boat going to Warri from the Escravos axis and another from Escravos to Warri when they collided and capsized due to the rains and turbulent waves of the sea.
The driver of the boat that took off from the Rex Water Front Jetty at the Ugbuwangue community survived the mishap and along with some others victim, is currently receiving treatment at various private hospitals in Warri.
The number of persons in both boats could not be ascertained, as it is not the practice amongst boat owners in the area to maintain passenger manifests.
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