Nine persons are said to be missing after a canoe that was carrying 15 occupants capsized in a river in Harbel, Margibi County on Wednesday, 22 August.
Our reporter says seven of the occupants were rescued by some residents from the river bodering Smell No Taste and Dolo Town in Margibi County District #2.
13 of the occupants of the canoe were young local footballers who were returning from playing a game when the canoe capsized.
Our reporter had to abort a trip to cover the arrival of former Arsenal Coach Arsene Wenger to visit the scene of the incident near the river in Dolo Town where dozens of community people had gathered.
A lady who was riding along with the footballers was among seven of those rescued. Margibi County District #2 Representative Ivar K. Jones has extended syspathy to the families of the victims and residents for over the incident.
Speaking to families of the nine missing presons, Rep. Jones encounraged everyone to go home, assuring that government is trying to get the rest of the boys out of the river.
He notes that for nine young boys to be missing in water at this time is a big lost to their families and the people of his district.
Aaccording to the families, 13 of the boys were coming from Smell No Taste after playing a football game.The 13 boys and a lady were being conveyed in the conoe by a man when they drowned.
Speaking to this paper, a resident of Dolo Town only identified as Ma Mary says heavy rain in recent days had made the river to overflow before the boys traveled in the conoe Wednesday.
The lady and others that were rescued were said to be unconscious at the time of the interview and were still undergoing teament.
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“The family members of the boys are in tears tonigh. I just hope we get up tomorrow monring and this be a dream,” Ma Mary says.
By Sally Gaye –Edited by Winston W. Parley
