Rivers Boat Mishap: Five Bodies Recovered After Collision on Kula Waterways

At least five bodies have been recovered following a boat collision along the Robertkiri waterways in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, as search and rescue efforts continue for other missing passengers.

The bodies were recovered on Thursday afternoon after renewed efforts by a local security outfit, community chiefs and other stakeholders, according to a report published by PUNCH.

About 10 people were feared dead after a tugboat and a speedboat carrying more than 15 passengers collided on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred along the Robertkiri waterways, with rescue teams continuing their search for those still missing.

High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a community leader and pioneer spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, confirmed the recovery to the newspaper on Thursday evening.

Sara-Igbe said the recovered bodies would be taken to Rivers State Government House along Azikiwe Road in Port Harcourt before being moved to the Rivers State Police Command headquarters on Moscow Road.

“Five of the recovered corpses from the Robertkiri OML 25 incident will be taken to Rivers State Government House between 3.45 pm and 5 pm today and thereafter to the headquarters of Rivers State Police Command, Port Harcourt,” he said.

A woman was seen crying at the Government House in a video obtained by the newspaper. She said she had lost two uncles in the incident and expressed anguish over the impact of oil-related activities on her community.

Efforts by the newspaper to obtain an update from the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, were unsuccessful as of Thursday evening. Sources said the search was continuing in an effort to recover the remaining bodies.