8 drown in Ondo boat tragedy

Yinka Oladoyinbo, Akure - 25.03.2008

EIGHT persons on evangelism in the riverine community of Igbo-Egunrin in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State drowned while returning from the area on Sunday.

As was the practice during Easter celebration, the evangelists had travelled to some riverine communities to preach to those who were yet to accept Jesus Christ, but their mission ended disastrously while crossing Oloto/Igbo-Egunrin water way.

The major cause of the accident, which occurred around 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, according to an eyewitness, was the water hyacinth which had invested the water ways of the state over the years.

The waterway condition made the boat in which the evangelists were traveling to capsize and eight of the occupants died immediately.

The witness told newsmen that the accident should have been avoided if the victims had passed through the alternative plank built over the river by the community.

According to him, the incident claimed eight lives, while six of the dead, four men and two women, had been recovered at the time of filling this report.

As of Monday afternoon, the rescue team was still searching for the corpses of the two remaining victims as the ill-fated boat was conveying about 20 passengers before the accident happened.

The source said the evangelists had concluded the retreat attended by students’ fellowship from Ondo and other neighbouring states and were on their way home when the incident happened.

A community leader in the area who spoke with newsmen, Mr. Egbayelo a.k.a ‘man mountain’, expressed shock at the accident, which he described as unfortunate.