Many have been feared d3ad in a Bayelsa boat fire
A fire yesterday burnt and sank a boat, between Ekeni and Ukubie communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State at about 5.30am on Wednesday.
Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Bayelsa State Chapter, Ipigansi Ogoniba, said on Thursday that the boat was carrying about 64 persons at the time of the incident, but several persons swam to safety.
Ogoniba said it would be difficult to state the exact number of those who died or survived until much later when he receives reports from boats and local divers engaged in ongoing rescue efforts.
The Yenagoa bound boat usually carried traders who ply their wares from one riverine market to the other and returned to Yenagoa in time for Monday and Thursday, the market days of the Swali Ultra Modern Market.
It is not immediately clear what caused the incident, but it is believed that it started from improper handling of petrol close to the onboard engine.
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