ABIDJAN: Twelve children and teenagers lost their lives after a boat capsized during an Easter church outing on a lagoon near Abidjan, Ivory Coast, government officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The tragic incident occurred late Monday night as a group of young churchgoers were returning from a religious event organized by a Methodist church in the village of Tiaha, located about 60 kilometers (40 miles) from Abidjan. The gathering, known as “Galilee,” was held to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Sports Minister Adje Silas Metch, who visited the site during the night, told AFP, “Twelve bodies have been recovered and are being taken to the morgue.” He added that the victims were all children and adolescents, including one child not affiliated with the church who had joined the group for the outing.
Four individuals were rescued from the water, authorities said.
According to Gerard Gbato, deputy chief of the Dabou police district, the tragedy unfolded during the return trip when the boat’s engine reportedly failed, causing the vessel—likely overloaded—to overturn. The boat was a traditional dugout canoe fitted with a motor, commonly used by locals for travel along the lagoon.
The lagoon, which cuts through districts of Abidjan and surrounding towns, serves as a major waterway for communities in the area.
Police have launched an investigation into the accident to determine the exact cause and assess whether safety regulations were followed.
