A tragic incident in Nigeria’s coastal state of Bayelsa resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people when a wooden boat caught fire and exploded on a river. The incident occurred on Wednesday, as reported by Bayelsa police spokesperson Musa Muhammed on Thursday.
The boat, which was transporting traders with goods bound for coastal communities, was engulfed in flames before exploding. The traders were making their routine journey between the coastal settlements and Yenagoa, the state capital.
This latest disaster highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of river transport in Nigeria. The country has witnessed numerous boat accidents, with authorities attributing many to overcrowding and inadequate maintenance. In the past year alone, at least 200 people were reported killed in similar incidents.
The explosion in Bayelsa underscores the urgent need for improved safety regulations and better maintenance practices to prevent such tragedies in the future.
In other news – South African health minister criticizes Zimbabwean politicians
South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has recently voiced strong criticism against Zimbabwean politicians for seeking medical treatment abroad, suggesting that they should instead focus on improving their health systems. In a recent address at an African National Congress (ANC) event, Motsoaledi highlighted a notable contrast between Zimbabwe and Eswatini regarding medical arrangements.
He praised eSwatini for its collaboration with South Africa, where the country refers its citizens for complex medical cases through a well-established medical aid agreement. This arrangement, according to Motsoaledi, is a model that other neighboring countries should follow. Read More
