Posted by By Dayo Babasola on
AT least 20 people reportedly died in a boat mishap that occurred along Igbokoda-Ayetoro waterways in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State.
AKURE - AT least 20 people reportedly died in a boat mishap that occurred along Igbokoda-Ayetoro waterways in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State.
Vanguard gathered that ten bodies of the victims, including a pregnant woman and family of four had been recovered by the rescue team that raced to the scene of the accident.
Sources said that the wooden boat had no fewer than 150 people on board before it sank after hitting a sharp object.
The boat which took off from Igbokoda was said to be heading towards Ayetoro when the incident occurred at the spot near the Ayelala shrine on the waterway.
Vanguard learnt that passengers of the boat were mainly women, who were going to the market and school children that were returning home from school for the vacation.
The sharp object that reportedly caused the havoc pierced through the boat and allowed free entry of water which led to the immediate sinking of the boat.
Some good swimmers in the neighborhood fought frantically to rescue some of the passengers.
Apart from the pregnant woman, bodies of another woman and her three children and three other ladies had been recovered from the scene of the incident.
A source alleged that another 100 persons swam to safety, while many others were still missing.
Speaking to newsmen yesterday the Chairman of Ilaje local government, Chief Adebambo Odoro, confirmed the boat mishap adding that he was part of the rescue team.
Chief Odoro, said that the accident is unfortunate and that the victims were mostly women and school children.
The chairman said that the Marine Police and volunteers were still battling to safe lives of those that might still be trap in the water.