Breaking: Tragedy in Warri as 19 year old Chinaza goes missing after boat sinks at NPA waterside

Panic gripped the NPA waterside in Warri this morning after a canoe carrying passengers from Sandfill II capsized, leaving a 19 year old lady, Chinaza, missing and presumed drowned.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred when the canoe boat collided with another wooden engine boat mid-stream. Several passengers were onboard at the time.

Chinaza, an Igbo lady aged 19, reportedly sank and could not be found due to her inability to swim. 

A 7 year old boy who was also in the boat with his mother and sibling survived the accident by swimming to safety.

PEBNEWS correspondent who visited Sandfill II (Warri Corner) spoke with Favour, a friend of the missing girl who was also on the ill-fated boat. Favour said the engine boat driver had reported himself to Marine Police, NPA and was taken into custody for questioning.

"The driver weh jam us report himself to marine police," she said.

Rescue efforts were ongoing at press time as divers and local fishermen searched the NPA river for Chinaza’s body. Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the incident.

The accident has renewed calls for stricter safety enforcement on Warri waterways, including use of life jackets and regulation of boat speed.