So far, nine bodies have been recovered while search and rescue efforts were still ongoing to find the remaining two out of the 11 casualties of the recent boat mishap along the Bonny River in Rivers State.  

This is as the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area of the Rivers State, Dame Anengi Claude-Wilcox, paid a condolence visit to the victims of the unfortunate incident that occurred on Monday, January 8, 2024, which claimed 11 lives.

Eyewitnesses told Kristina Reports that 14 of the victims were rescued from the sea during the incident by local fishermen.

Kristina Reports also learnt from eyewitnesses that the incident occurred as they were returning from Ngo in Andoni LGA to Bonny where they spent the Yuletide season.

Represented by her Vice, Omoni Longjohn, the Bonny LGA Chairman commiserated with the families of the deceased at Amariaria Fishing Settlement and Agiokolo 2 Community, both in in Finima Community, Bonny LGA.

She noted that though the victims were natives of different communities in Andoni LGA they were residents of Bonny LGA and as such share affinity with the people of Bonny, condoling with her Andoni LGA counterpart, Dr Erastus Awortu for the unfortunate loss of his kinsmen and women.

She commended the leadership and people of the Amariari Fishing Settlement for all their efforts in supporting the families of the victims, while comforting the bereaved families and injured victims.

The Bonny LGA boss prayed that such unfortunate incident will never repeat again and that the souls of the departed finds rest with the Lord.

In his remarks, Kiridabo of Agiokolo 2 in Finima Community, Sunny Papa Brown thanked the Bonny LGA Chairman for visiting, saying it was a clear indication of her compassion for the people, condoling with the bereaved families and praying that the souls of the departed rest in peace.

The nine corpses were prepared and conveyed to where they were to be interred after being inspected by the Vice Chairman, Omoni Longjohn and his entourage at the shores of Amariari in Finima Community.