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Tragedy struck on the Sagbama River in Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa State when six persons drowned, following a boat mishap which occurred on Friday night.
Leadership Sunday gathered that the ill-fated canoe was on its way to Agoloma in Patani local government from Sagbama, for a burial ceremony when it capsised as a result of over-loading.
As at press time, the remains of the late passengers were yet to be recovered by local divers in the community, but on-lookers and members of riverside communities wailed and shook their heads.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the canoe which was conveying about 20 passengers, lost balance shortly after take-off from the Sagbama jetty.
However, some of the survivors who lost consciousness were revived.
Leadership Sunday gathered that five of the dead passengers were natives of Asaba and in-laws to the deceased, Chief John Asawari, who has since been buried at Agoloma.
More casualties were prevented by the timely arrival of rescuers to the scene of the accident.
One of the sympathizers who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said that the wake-keep and burial of the deceased at Agoloma was almost marred by the accident.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Eguavoen Emokpae,said he was neither aware of the boat mishap nor the number of lives it claimed.
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