By Emma Amaize

WARRI—ABOUT five persons allegedly died, Wednesday night, when a sea-going vessel rammed into a local transport boat filled with passengers and goods worth millions of Naira at Bennett River, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.

A source said the incident occurred at about 7.45p.m., pointing out that the impact of the crash split the boat into two.

It was gathered that but for the timely intervention of villagers, who rushed to rescue the passengers, the casualties’ figure would have been higher.

Mr. Norbiane Convention, a youth leader in Bennett, confirmed that five persons lost their lives, adding that local divers were yet to recover the remains.

He said: “The vessel has poor flash light and the boat driver did not see the ship before the fatal collision.”

National President of the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, Mr. Austin Ozobo, who reacted to the incident, said: “We are disturbed by the loss of five lives in the incident and sympathise with the families of the deceased persons.

“We are aware that vessels are not permitted to sail at night in inland waterways.

“We call on the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, and relevant port authorities to immediately investigate the root cause of the accident to ensure that the captain of the vessel and the vessel are arrested and prosecuted.”