Margibi County – Five bodies have been recovered from the Gben River in Lower Margibi County, after a canoe carrying about 11 persons capsized on Wednesday, August 22.
Report by Varflay Kamara, Contributor
The canoe, occupied with 11 persons, was crossing over from Unification Town to Dolo Town, few miles away from Harbel.
Local divers and rescuers had saved six persons who were taken to Dolo Town Health Center beside the Gben River bank for treatment. The five bodies were identified by family members.
Those deceased include Obadiah Morris aged 24, of Dolo Town, Jacob David 20 of Harbel Camp #2, James Ballah aged 23 of Dolo Town, Eric Pearson 24 of Regent City and Abednego Rivercess aged 18 of Dolo Town.
The Armed Forces of Liberia Coast Guard crew retrieved from the waters Friday morning after a search at various points at the river.
A survival Starlet Fallah attributed the capsize of the canoe to the water wave. “After the two peddlers loosen the rope that was on the canoe, one was peddling slowly and the wave from the water was strong. As a result of that, the canoe was overpowered by the water and that’s how it turned one side and water started entering it,” Fallah explained.
Fallah who graduated from Unification Town Public High School on Sunday, August 25, three days before the incident said he had gone to collect his graduation gown; on his way back, the canoe accident happened. “Using this route to go to Unification Town or Smell No Taste is very normal for us. We usually use this route. I was actually going to get my gown because you know I will be graduating on Sunday and when my friends told me that the graduation gowns were ready, I went there to collect my own,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Margibi County Superintendent Jerry Varnie has ordered the closure of all canoe-crossing-points in the county. Superintendent Varnie said security personnel have been instructed to keep citizens away from all canoe crossing routes in the county. “It is just prudent to put an end to the usual movements of canoes on the waters especially, this raining season. It is very unfortunate but I think this situation is a wakeup call for citizens to be aware of their safety,” Supt. Varney said.
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