14 people are reportedly dead and five others drowned in two boat accidents that occurred at the coast of Jui in Freetown and in Bonthe district, on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

Speaking to BBC’s Umaru Fofana, the head of maritime, Sama Gamanga confirmed that five people drowned in a collision in the southern district on Monday.

“He said nine others were unaccounted for and presumed dead when workers from a fishing trawler on Tuesday overloaded a local boat to make it back home after weeks at sea. The boat capsized,” Fofana reported.

He noted that a search-and-rescue operation failed to account for the nine who are presumed drowned.

“It’s not clear how many people were onboard the vessels involved in both incidents,” he added.

At Tagrin to Jui, it is reported that the accident occurred when the passengers attempted to transfer to a small boat that would take them to land, but the boat capsized in the process.