20 die in Bayelsa boat explosion - Ripples Nigeria
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20 die in Bayelsa boat explosion

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At least 20 persons died when a wooden cargo boat identified as “Godbless Dickson,” burst into flames in Bayelsa waterways on Wednesday.

The boat carried 64 passengers and crew members when the incident occurred along the Ezetu 1 community of Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State.

The ill-fated boat was packed with farm produce from the rural settlement headed to Swali market in Yenagoa before the incident.

The spokesman for the state police command, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident to journalists on Thursday in Yenagoa.

READ ALSO: 10 passengers rescued alive in Lagos boat mishap

He said rescue efforts by the Marine Police unit were still ongoing.

The Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Bayelsa Chapter, Mr. Ogoniba Ipigansi, also confirmed the incident.

He said the union’s rescue team comprising two speed boats had been dispatched to the scene to assist the passengers on board.

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