A boat accident in Ondo State’s Ilaje Local Government Area claimed the lives of five seafood vendors.
The deceased were reportedly travelling by boat to a local market in Ugbonla, one of the coastal settlements in Ilaje LGA, to purchase fish when their boat capsized.
Six traders were reportedly engaged in the accident, but only one was recovered, according to Mr Orioye Benedict Gbayisemore, National President of the Ondo State Fishermen Association of Nigeria, who confirmed the occurrence on Sunday, June 11, 2023.
According to Gabyisemore, if the remaining five had worn “life jackets” on their journey, they would have been saved.
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“It was gathered that six persons, who went to buy seafood at a local market at Ugbonla, were involved in an accident on the waterway.
“Their boat capsized and five of the travellers died, while only one person was rescued, due to the use of a life jacket,” he said.
Gbayisemore lamented the attitude of people using the rivers for business without using life jackets while expressing sympathy to the families and relatives of the deceased.
He emphasized the necessity of the jackets, highlighting their relevance for improving safety and raising the likelihood of surviving in an emergency, especially when travelling through the state’s and the nation’s coastal regions.
He insisted that the state administration swiftly enact strict regulations requiring commuters to wear life jackets when on waterways.
“The lone survivor in the Ugbo Nla boat mishap had the foresight to wear a life jacket, before setting out on the ill-fated trip. The life jacket was vital to his survival, keeping him buoyant until rescuers arrived.”
“This tragic event serves as a critical call to the government to enforce the mandatory use of life jackets and by so doing, the government can prevent future tragedy and create a safer environment for all water commuters.”
“This serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to enforce the use of life jackets for all individuals commuting on water,” he explained.
