No fewer than five persons have been confirmed dead in a boat mishap at Bennett Island in Gbaramatu, Warri South-West Local Government of Delta State.

It was gathered that the ill-fated boat was returning from a burial ceremony in the wee hours of Saturday, November 23, 2024, when the incident occurred.

Sources said the boat conveying 31 passengers had a head-on collision with a submerged log on the waterway.

According to sources, the boat capsized and threw the entire passengers onboard into the water.

One of the sources said: “The tragic incident threw the passengers onboard the boat into the water.

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“Of course, many of them were unable to swim and were also not wearing life vests, so they were drowned immediately.

“The body of a toddler was found floating on the creek hours after the tragic mishap.”

The boat mishap was confirmed by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Tuesday, November 26.

Edafe added that six other persons were injured, 19 persons were rescued, while one person was still missing.

“Five found dead, six persons injured and still receiving treatment, 19 persons rescued and one still missing,” Edafe said, without giving further details.

The Star