A boat mishap on Bayelsa waterways has claimed the lives of two passengers, at Akede community in Bayelsa.

Police Spokesman in Bayelsa, DSP Musa Muhammad, who confirmed the incident, said the speedboat driver is in police custody for questioning.

Meanwhile it was learnt that 13 passengers on board the ill-fated boat
are still missing.

The boat is plying Anyama-Ijaw Lobia-Foropa route in Southern Ijaw collided with a fishing boat along the watereays.

The accident occurred on Tuesday evening where two fisherwomen onboard the fishing boat were confirmed dead because the speedboat collided with their boat.

The passengers onboard the speedboat are yet to be found.

A witness said some divers are already on the waterways to see if any of the missing passengers could be rescued.

He said a speed boat named Meeting Marine, powered by a 115 Horse Power engine was traveling from Anyama Ijaw towards Lobia and Foropa communities when it collided with a fishing boat at the Akede Community waterfront.

It was also gathered that a woman and a young girl from the fishing boat tragically drowned, while passengers in the speedbot sank into the river.

The Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, Mr Ogoniba Ipigansi also confirmed the incident, saying the union and divers are already on their way to Akede community waterfront for rescue mission.

He confirmed the death of two fisherwomen onboard the wooden fishing boat, saying other thirteen passengers onboard the speedboat are yet to be seen.

He said all the passengers onboard the speedboat wore life jackets, expressing hope that they may be rescued.

Ipigansi stated that the union was alerted to the accident and and the communication challenge hampered their rescue operations as network was challenging in the area.