[News] Pregnant woman, corps member and 5 others die in Bayelsa boat accident

A boat accident in Bayelsa state has claimed the life of a pregnant woman, a yet-to-be-identified corps member and 5 others.

Daily Trust reported that the incident happened on Saturday afternoon between Otuan and Ayama communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The boat which has a capacity for 15 passengers, reportedly rammed into a barrier in the waters and sank while approaching Ayama to berth, amidst a heavy rainstorm.

The victims include a mother with her two kids and a 70-year-old Otuan chief and father to a Bayelsa-based journalist, Chief Lucky Daniels.

The boat and the corpses of the victims were still missing as of the time of filing this report while local divers were on a search and rescue operation along the Ayama community coastline.

Chairman of the maritime union in Otuan, Joseph Shedrack, said that the boat driver, Lucky Christopher, who survived the accident, has been detained by the police for alleged reckless driving.

State Chairman of the Maritime Union, Ipigansi Ogoniba, said six persons were still missing.

 On the identity of the corps member involved in the boat disaster, Ogoniba said the authorities of the NYSC had been contacted.