Four people were feared dead in Warri River on Friday in a boat mishap
involving the funeral party to the burial of
late Thomas Ekpemupolo,
father of Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).
A community leader in Gbaramatu Kingdom, who craved anonymity, told
newsmen on Saturday in Warri that the victims included a man and three
women. He said that two of the female victims were from Kurutie and
Ogulaha communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the victims boarded the
ill-fated speed boat at the Miller Waterside in Warri to attend the
weeklong funeral which commenced on Thursday.
“We were already at the funeral celebrating Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo when we got news of the
accident.
“Initially, we were told only two persons died, later we heard that the
victims were four. ”The male victim, who was apparently from the
northern part of the country, was on a mission to sell some wares at the
funeral ground,” he said.
NAN recalled that Late Ekpemupolo died on Sept. 7 at Lily Clinic, Warri.
Delta Police spokesperson, SP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the
incident, said the number of casualties were yet to be ascertained. ”I
was regretfully informed that AW-19 boat mounted with 115 horsepower
Yamaha engine capsized at Warri river.
”My patrol team rescued 11 persons; searching and investigation is
ongoing. ”For your information, there is no manifest to show the number
of passengers in the boat. ”So the number of deaths is not certain yet,
the bodies will float by tomorrow,” said the Delta police spokesperson.
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