FIVE BODIES RECOVERED AS SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE FOLLOWING FATAL RIVERS STATE BOAT CRASH

Tragedy along Robertkiri waterways in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area leaves maritime community mourning as local divers and authorities search for remaining missing passengers

Emergency response teams and local divers have recovered five bodies following a deadly boat mishap along the Robertkiri waterways in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The incident, which occurred earlier in the week, involved a passenger vessel navigating the coastal channels near local oil field installations. While eight passengers were successfully rescued alive shortly after the capsizing, several individuals were reported missing beneath the surface.

Grieving relatives and community leaders gathered in Port Harcourt as recovered remains were brought ashore. Spokespersons for the affected Kula community called for thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding the maritime crash, citing operational hazards and security dynamics along the waterway corridors.

Joint search and rescue operations involving local riverine operators, community volunteers, and maritime security personnel remain active across the Robertkiri creeks to account for all missing victims. Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command and military authorities confirmed that preliminary inquiries into the accident are ongoing.