On March 9th, 2023, the Minister of Transport in Gabon declared the suspension of nocturnal travels and the initiation of an audit of all boats designated for passenger transport, following the tragic sinking of the Esther Miracle vessel off Nyonié. The incident claimed the lives of at least three individuals on Thursday.
As of March 9, a preliminary evaluation conducted by the Gabonese government reveals the death toll from the Esther Miracle shipwreck to be three. The search for the remaining 25 missing individuals is still ongoing. Despite the gravity of the situation, 123 passengers were successfully rescued, with 50 patients still receiving medical treatment in hospitals.
This marks the second major maritime accident in less than a month off the coast of Libreville, albeit with fatal consequences this time. Consequently, the government has implemented a series of measures to address the situation.
The Minister of Transport, Brice Constant Paillat, has declared the suspension of all overnight voyages by passenger ships until March 31, citing safety concerns. Furthermore, an audit of all vessels dedicated to transporting passengers will be conducted.