At least 20 people lost their lives when a wooden boat exploded and sank in a river in Nigeria’s Bayelsa State on Wednesday.
The tragedy, the latest in a series of fatal boat accidents, has once again exposed the critical lack of safety regulations on the country’s waterways.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, but the incident highlights the perilous conditions faced by residents who rely on boats for transportation, especially in remote areas with limited road infrastructure.
Overcrowding, poorly maintained vessels, and a lack of emergency services contribute to the high rate of accidents.
Despite repeated calls for improved safety measures, authorities have been slow to implement effective regulations.
As a result, countless lives continue to be lost in preventable maritime disasters.
