A tragic weekend unfolded as over 30 passengers, including a toddler, lost their lives in a boat accident near Beneth Island in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Reports from JOINTEARN reveal that while many passengers remain missing, the lifeless body of a one-year-old child was found hours later, floating in the creek.

The accident occurred when a speedboat, carrying passengers returning from a burial ceremony, collided with a submerged log and capsized. The impact threw several passengers into the water, many of whom could not swim or were wearing life jackets.

Most of the passengers drowned almost immediately after being tossed into the river.

Eyewitnesses described the boat as traveling at high speed when the collision occurred, leading to chaotic moments of panic and desperation as passengers tried to stay afloat.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, but the fate of the missing remains uncertain. Rescue teams continue to search the area, though hopes of finding survivors are diminishing as time passes.

Bright Edafe, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State, has promised to provide further details once more information on the accident is gathered.