BOAT MISHAP: DELTA SPEAKER AMONG LUCKY SURVIVORS

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Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, has been named as one of the survivors of Tuesday’s tragic boat accident in the Warri South Local Government Area that claimed five lives.

Nkem Nwaeke, Guwor’s chief press secretary, said in a statement on Wednesday that the speaker, despite being a survivor, is still very much disturbed by the catastrophe.

The statement said that the tragedy happened on Friday afternoon, November 22, 2024, as Guwor was returning to Asaba from Warri after meeting with his people.

Five people were killed when the speaker’s boat almost collided with another boat. Furthermore, six people were injured, and twenty passengers are still missing.

Guwor sent his sympathies to the families of the deceased and conveyed his deep sorrow over the awful incident.

He expressed gratitude to God for saving his life and the lives of the other survivors, and he praised the prompt response of the rescue crews and medical staff that arrived on the spot.

In order to assure traveler safety and stop similar incidents in the future, the speaker also urged a comprehensive study into the accident’s cause.

He concluded by saying a prayer for the deceased’s souls to rest in peace and for the relatives of the victims.

“Mr speaker is deeply saddened by the tragic boat mishap that occurred over the weekend along Bennett Island River in Warri South-west local government area of Delta State, in which he was involved but miraculously survived.

“Unfortunately, five precious lives were lost in the incident.

“Mr Speaker was returning to Asaba, enroute Warri after engagement with constituents on the faithful Friday afternoon, November 22, 2024, when the boat he was being ferried almost had a head-on collision with another, resulting to the death of five persons and several others injured.

“His heart goes out to the families of the deceased, and he prays that God grants them the strength to bear these irreparable losses.

“Mr. Speaker is still in shock over the incident and can only imagine the pain and grief that the families of the victims must be going through.

“He thanks God for sparing his life and that of others who survived the mishap. He also appreciates the prompt response of the rescue team and the medical personnel who attended to them.

“Mr Speaker has asked that relevant authorities should conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident, with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.

“Once again, Mr Speaker commiserates with the families of the victims and pray for the repose of their souls,” the statement read.