20 killed in Bayelsa boat explosion

At least 20 people were killed when a wooden cargo ship identified as the “Godbless Dickson” caught fire in Bayelsa waters on Wednesday.

The boat was carrying 64 passengers and crew when the incident occurred along Ezetu 1 community in Southern Ijaw local government area of ​​Bayelsa State.

The ill-fated vessel was loading agricultural produce from rural settlements bound for the Swali market in Yenagoa before the incident.

State police spokesman Musa Mohammed confirmed the incident to journalists on Thursday in Yenagoa.

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

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

He said a union rescue team consisting of two speed boats had been deployed to the scene to help the passengers on board.

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