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Wednesday 12 June 2013

Nigerian cook survives two days under sea in shipwreck air bubble

After two days trapped in freezing cold water and breathing from an air bubble in an upturned tugboat under the ocean, Harrison Okene was sure he was going to die. Then a torch light pierced the darkness.

Ship's cook Okene, 29, was on board the Jascon-4 tugboat when it capsized on May 26 due to heavy Atlantic ocean swells around 30 km (20 miles) off the coast of Nigeria, while stabilizing an oil tanker filling up at a Chevron platform.

Of the 12 people on board, divers recovered 10 dead bodies while a remaining crew member has not been found. Somehow Okene survived, breathing inside a four foot high bubble of air as it shrunk in the waters slowly rising from the ceiling of the tiny toilet and adjoining bedroom where he sought refuge, until two South African divers eventually rescued him.


 "I was there in the water in total darkness just thinking it's the end. I kept thinking the water was going to fill up the room but it did not," Okene said, parts of his skin peeling away after days soaking in the salt water.

"I was so hungry but mostly so, so thirsty. The salt water took the skin off my tongue," he said. Seawater got into his mouth but he had nothing to eat or drink throughout his ordeal.
At 4:50 a.m. on May 26, Okene says he was in the toilet when he realized the tugboat was beginning to turn over. As water rushed in and the Jascon-4 flipped, he forced open the metal door.
"As I was coming out of the toilet it was pitch black so we were trying to link our way out to the water tidal (exit hatch)," Okene told Reuters in his home town of Warri, a city in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta.

"Three guys were in front of me and suddenly water rushed in full force. I saw the first one, the second one, the third one just washed away. I knew these guys were dead."
What he didn't know was that he would spend the next two and a half days trapped under the sea praying he would be found.

Turning away from his only exit, Okene was swept along a narrow passageway by surging water into another toilet, this time adjoining a ship's officers cabin, as the overturned boat crashed onto the ocean floor. To his amazement he was still breathing.

Fish feasted on the dead
Okene, wearing only his underpants, survived around a day in the four foot square toilet, holding onto the overturned washbasin to keep his head out of the water.
He built up the courage to open the door and swim into the officer's bedroom and began pulling off the wall paneling to use as a tiny raft to lift himself out of the freezing water.
He sensed he was not alone in the darkness.
"I was very, very cold and it was black. I couldn't see anything," says Okene, staring into the middle distance.

"But I could perceive the dead bodies of my crew were nearby. I could smell them. The fish came in and began eating the bodies. I could hear the sound. It was horror."
What Okene didn't know was a team of divers sent by Chevron and the ship's owners, West African Ventures, were searching for crew members, assumed by now to be dead.
Then in the afternoon of May 28, Okene heard them.
 "I heard a sound of a hammer hitting the vessel. Boom, boom, boom. I swam down and found a water dispenser. I pulled the water filter and I hammered the side of the vessel hoping someone would hear me. Then the diver must have heard a sound."

Divers broke into the ship and Okene saw light from a head torch of someone swimming along the passageway past the room.
"I went into the water and tapped him. I was waving my hands and he was shocked," Okene said, his relief still visible.
He thought he was at the bottom of the sea, although the company says it was 30 meters below.
The diving team fitted Okene with an oxygen mask, diver's suit and helmet and he reached the surface at 19:32, more than 60 hours after the ship sank, he says.

Okene says he spent another 60 hours in a decompression chamber where his body pressure was returned to normal. Had he just been exposed immediately to the outside air he would have died.
The cook describes his extraordinary survival story as a "miracle" but the memories of his time in the watery darkness still haunt him and he is not sure he will return to the sea.
"When I am at home sometimes it feels like the bed I am sleeping in is sinking. I think I'm still in the sea again. I jump up and I scream," Okene said, shaking his head.
"I don't know what stopped the water from filling that room. I was calling on God. He did it. It was a miracle."

Source: Reuters

446 comments:

  1. Thank God he survived. Ah - Gusiness book of records needs him

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  2. To God be praised, his being alive is heavenly ordained indeed!

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  3. Sexily Endowed12 June 2013 at 23:49

    Oh boy is either u're papi-water or ur God is so alive.... 2days under sea? Thank God for ur life oooooo.

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  4. Thanks to God, for sparing his life. He is so lucky. I can't just imagine the ordeal he must have gone through.

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  5. Be thankful for this miracle
    Bro.
    Did I make it?

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  6. This narration just made me remember the movie, "The Deep Blue Sea".. Happy for him though.

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  7. Woow, God is gr8...t's indeed a miracle

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  8. This is really a miracle. Thank God for ur life.

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  9. Omg! God can hear us from anywhere. Really touching.

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  10. God is good indeed

    obyazike.blogspot.co.uk

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  11. wow.....baba God u'r awsome

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  12. Thank God for his life.

    ~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA3310

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  13. A true survivor's story, thank God for his life. Should be made into a movie

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  14. ThankGod for your life

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  15. 3rd 2 comment!!! Mk sure U̶̲̥̅̊ serve God with al U̶̲̥̅̊ have..

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  16. This is a great surviving testimony. Really praise God for him, the maker.
    It is educative though.

    discover secrets to losing some weight and eating healthy

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  17. Praiseeeee the Lord somebody! *waves hand* God is truly awesome. I thank God for your life mister

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  18. Quite touching, I must confess. This is more than luck. God still has a purpose for his life.

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  19. Indeed a miracle bruv

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  20. So shockd right now,but your God is ALIVE,praise be 2 His name! Wht a miracle.Ojanell

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  21. Never give up. thank God for your life.

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  22. thank God it was indeed a miracle, go and sin no more.

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  23. FUCK EVERYTHING!!! TODAY'S THE DAY I WAS BORN!!!! THANK YOU LORD!!!

    See you all later! Long day ahead. Happy birthday to my birthday mates too! Love you all!

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  24. thank God it was indeed a miracle, go and sin no more.

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  25. God is in deed GOOD!

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  26. Okene,if u r not yet born again,pls give ur life 2 our savour Jesus Christ.He kept u alive 4 a purpose.Our God is always able.We thank 4 d life of our dear brother Okene.

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  27. God neva fails. Tank u Jesus

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  28. OMG!!! " crying" this is definitely a miracle. The way God works we can never understand, this man is not better than the others that died but God spared him, this man is definitely a miracle, he needs to worship God with his all from now on. So happy for this man. Thank God.

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  29. My brother the grace of God is upon u! Thank God for ur life.

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  30. This is indeed a miracle! I was in shock reading through it. Thank God oo.

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  31. God is great. Thank God

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  32. Thank God for his faithfulness :D...luboo

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  33. Hmmmm god of mercy n miracle did it... ever be praise Lord. What an experience in water. Thank god for u n never leave him

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  34. He as done it again, He never sleep nor slumber, I thank God for you HarriSon you will not die befor ur time but remember he save you for a purpose

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  35. Miracle indeed. You serve a living God. Not your time †Φ die.

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  36. Well i'll be fucked!!! Fucking James bond Shit right there mayne!!! Top Lad!!


    @Sarcastic_dude

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  37. It was really a miracle.
    Thank you Jesus for keeping okene..

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  38. great news..i blv by now you should knw @all point in ur life u must continue to do good and serve God almighty with truth & in honesty, it cost u nuffin. stay cool

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  39. great news..i blv by now you should knw @all point in ur life u must continue to do good and serve God almighty with truth & in honesty, it cost u nuffin. stay cool

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  40. Well i'll be fucked!!! Fucking James bond Shit right there mayne!!! Top Lad!!


    @Sarcastic_dude

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  41. Wow...Amen, Amen, Amen...God have mercy and RIP for the bodies that have gone on with the Lord.

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  42. Gosh! I just couldn't help the tears streaming down my face. Praise be to the Almighty, All powerful God. Just thought of the movie; life of Pie. Pls watch.

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  43. To God be the Glory I praise and thank God on ur behalf.....God has a purpose for YOU never let go on GOD!!!!

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  44. Tnk ur stars man.God did it 4 u.hop u now put mor revrence in d tins of God

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  45. Now that! Is what I call a miracle!!! I praise Jesus for u mr Okene! He alone saved u! Dis is really inspiring!

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  46. A mighty mniracle indeed,, ur lucky. I believe God has a plan for you.

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  47. God is awesome..no one is like my God..my wonderful God.you are worthy to be praised.thank you,thank you.

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  48. I bless ur name o!Lord....can someone shout hallelujah!!

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  49. Wow! It could only have been God's mighty hands! May He continue to protect His own! Amen!

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  50. To God Be The Glory!!indeed it was a miracle.

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  51. God is faithful! Happy for u bro!

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  52. It is d Lord's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes. May God continue to work miracles for us to the amazement of those who don't believe.

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  53. Wow,my God is wonderful...thank U daddy..congrats Mr okene

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  54. Waow its really a miracle, I thank God for ur life u owe Him praises all thru ur lifetime, enjoy more of His mercy!

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  55. Awwww... Bless you Okene. You will be fine in no time. I had a life threatening surgery 2yrs ago and went thru so much pain. I Spent 4months in d hospital. I don't even wish my enemies to go thru such. For over 18months, I cried in my sleep evry night without even knowing. It was my parents, boyfriend n friends who use to tell me about it all d time. Till date, when ever I see blood, stitches and injection, I get d Chills n run like a crazy person. Okene will get over d Trauma. It might just take a while. Bless you Okene. God Loves You. Never forget that.

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  56. God loves you glory to his name.

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  57. Thank God for ur life ooo...Its a miracle indeed..

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  58. That's amazing. Congratulations man. *S.O.S*

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  59. Miracles still exist...this one was a miracle.

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  60. Wow!! Best story ever, Truly a miracle

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  61. It's indeed a miracle

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  62. it ws a miracle indeed!i'm so hapi 4 him n his family...

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  63. God is indeed a miracle working God

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  64. Indeed it was a miracle.marvels me wen i see/hear pple get 2close 2death nd den dey are JUST restored/Preserved.its awesome.happy 4u Okene

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  65. GOD saved you for a purPose...so sad for the lost souls. RIP

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  66. Wow!!!!! Dis is truly God @ work...
    MYRAYA

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  67. HIS TIME WAS NOT UP..HE CALLED ON THE LORD AND HE SAVED HIM...HE NEEDS TO DO WORK FOR JESUS....GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE..

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  68. Thank Jehovah no be small. Its realy a miracle.

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  69. God be praised!!!This is a miracle!Thank God for sparing ur life. I hope u get over the trauma as tym passes. Wow!!!its jst amazing.

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  70. God be praised!!!This is a miracle!Thank God for sparing ur life. I hope u get over the trauma as tym passes. Wow!!!its jst amazing.

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  71. Praise Jehovah Lord God Almighty, so happy you made it to tell the story.Please live your life and honor God in all you do and for the rest of your life. Amen.

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  72. Thank God for your life, that's every mariner's nightmare to be trapped under sea, God forbid

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  73. Thanking God for your life and trusting him to keep you always . Congrats

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  74. I thank God for d life of Mr okene d lord has nt finished wit u yet so u hv to serve God wit all u hv. Stay blessed

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  75. We thank God. Such a brave lad! As time goes by it'll get easier to deal with the trauma.

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  76. What a miracle. God still answers prayers.

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  77. Thank God for such a miracle. You are indeed a Miracle!!!

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  78. OMG! God Ȋ̝̊̅§ sure alive. Thank God 4 dis miracle. Let d living praise d Lord.

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  79. Thank God for your life..he saved you..This is every offshore worker's nightmare..I pray God continues to guide and protect us...#stunna

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  80. THIS IS A REAL MIRACLE. aLL THANKS TO GOD FOR PRESERVING HIS LIFE.

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  81. Thank you God! May your name be praised forever.

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  82. That was a big miracle. Thank God 4 ur life.

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  83. Mr. Okene its obvious, you are loved by God... Its indeed a Miracle.

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  84. Wow! What a miraculous survivior story! This could fit in for a hollywood blockbuster!

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  85. Awwww. This is a very touching story! I rejoice with u brother! Truly a miracle.

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  86. Woow...wat α̲̅ terrible ordeal, its indeed α̲̅ miracle my brother....1st 2 comment ℓ̊ guess!

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  87. I bliv in miracle,tank God for his life

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  88. It can only be God

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  89. Lord Ʊ are wonderful, Ʊ are worthy to b praise. To God b d Glory.

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  90. Tears cudnt stop rolling dwn my face. As I read dis piece,oh! Am marvelled just at d awesomeness n mercifulness of God,this is actually d finger of God.tnk u my maker,baba u 3 much.

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  91. Tuj twas God and God alone

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  92. miracle!!!!!!

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  93. Wow!!! What a miracle. God is good

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  94. God be praised! It really is a miracle .

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  95. God is the greatest

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  96. It is a miracle indeed..wat a dreadful way to die.

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  97. Dis is reli touchin,we thnk God

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  98. arinze muojekwu13 June 2013 at 04:14

    as i was reading this , i felt i am the one inside that ship . What a miracle

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  99. Definitely a miracle! Thank God.

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  100. Itz really a miracle•thank God for preservin ur life

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  101. Absolute Miracle!

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  102. Quite a miracle;touching....

    Temple.

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  103. MIRACLE!!! God is GREAT

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  104. God is good_so all dis fishes in water eat up dead humans,na wa o...so many naija guys have bin eaten up by dis fishes while crossing from morocco to spain or libya to italy in search of green pastures....and dere parents are still hoping for dere return someday...God loves u mr cook_serve him for the restof ur life..

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  105. Hi Linda, Okene actually stayed i̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊  water 4 more than 2days.... I knw the story well

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  106. Father Lord thank u 4 dis miracle.

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  107. Indeed it was a miracle,tank God for yur safety,derz a reason for ur existence.hope u've done ur tanksgiving?anywayz yu luk very familiar mister.

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  108. Don't knw wht 2 say... God realy BIG

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  109. Jesus is forever wonderful!!!

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  110. Wow Miracles still happen with ds God of wonders. So happy for ds man u better serve God all d rest of ur life

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  111. Awwwww wat a miracle! Mehn ve got phobia for water even pool scares mi out.buh wait ooo were dey not suppose to be on life jacket dat wil make them float on water. Hmmmmm over looking all diz small small safety details.

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  112. tank God.. its really a miracle

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  113. Hm,a miracle inded. its my 1st time here...Kennyz closet

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  114. To God be thy Glory

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  115. I thank God for his life,praise thy Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  116. Hold tightly unto GOD,he has a reason for sparing your life.Thanks you baba GOD,you're too awesome,glory!

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  117. wow...what more can i say, God of miracle u r 2 much, expectin my own miracle 4rm u. Thank u jesus.

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  118. God i thank you 4 this Life.it is a Miracle.

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  119. Testimony of Life am moved o!!!! Very moved!!

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  120. Wow. God does indeed perform.mircacles. When its not your time its not your time.

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  121. My dear u re blessed, bera go for a serious thanksgiving bcus Baba God is worthy. Happy for you.

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  122. God said "call upon me in the time of trouble and I will ans you". Okene was given a second chance 2 serve God,thank you Jesus 4 saving dis handsome man's life.

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  123. Indeed God is faithful,I can feel ur joy,wot a touching story.RIP 2 d dead ones......

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  124. God Is Good....

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  125. ALLAH is GREAT

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  126. Bro, really a miracle. God be praise. Am so happy for u.

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  127. I bless and thank God for your life,may the souls of others rest in peace.God be praised

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  128. Really miracle, if na me i no go ever water again o. Thank God for you

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  129. Allahu Akbar,Allah ɪ̣̝̇s̤̥̈̊ d greatest.Congrats dear on U̶̲̥̅̊я survival

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  130. Thank God 4 u! This is indeed a miracle.

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  131. Wow, this is really a miracle,2days in d water and still survived

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  132. Am so hapi 4 u,God still nid u 4 sumtin.Dis is a miracle. Linda post my comment o

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  133. Tnk God 4 ur life....
    Such a horrifying experience!

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  134. Wt a touchin story....Am so happi 4 him,d God we serve nvr sleeps nor slumber,he is an awesome God.u r truly bless ma broda 4rm warri

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  135. My dear dz is really miracle nd I tnk God for u

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  136. What a miracle

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  137. Waffi people are aurvivots

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  138. the God that save daniel 4rm pit of lions has done it 4 u and believe u me that u re alive 2day by Gods special/abundant grace which cannot be bought with money. I tap 4rm ur miracle.

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  139. God jst luvs dis man,he has 2 be very tankful.

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  140. His God is really alive.Thank God for Him. This is the risk we face at work -Chuks

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  141. God is wonderful when he says it is not your time to leave this world it really is not your time . to ALMIGHTY GOD be the glory.

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  142. God is wonderful when he says it is not your time to leave this world it really is not your time . to ALMIGHTY GOD be the glory.

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  143. God is wonderful when he says it is not your time to leave this world it really is not your time . to ALMIGHTY GOD be the glory.

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  144. Thank God for ur life. God is great. Mk

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  145. Woooooooooowwwww...... Who say's there's no God???? Am shocked to d bone..

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  146. Miracle working God, may my situation have a similar testimony

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  147. You are specially
    loved by God. Can't wait to see your edition of "I shouldn't be alive", "it's a miracle" or "I'm alive", amazing story!!!

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  148. Amazing story! God is awesome

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  149. You are specially
    loved by God. Can't wait to see your edition of "I shouldn't be alive", "it's a miracle" or "I'm alive", amazing story!!!

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  150. God is good may his name be praised always

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  151. That is the bravest story I have ever heard! Wow!

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  152. That is the bravest story I have ever heard! Wow!

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  153. God is a merciful God! Really happy for him. what he is having now is "post traumatic stress Disorder" it will pass with time....wow am so thrilled

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  154. God is great!.......so glad 4 ur life.

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  155. God is Awesome!!!this is a miracle.

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  156. This man's experience is frightening. Really dislike the risk involved in d nature of his job irrespective of the huge salary he may b earning.Thank God he survived.I feel bad abt those who lost their lives.

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  157. It was indeed a miracle.

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  158. Linda,just to let u know,Nelson mandela is dead.

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  159. God is alive never sleeps

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  160. God is a miracle worker... I thank God for his life.

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  161. O.M.G!!! Miracles still happen and dis is a perfect example of one. Thank u Jesus. You alone is worthy of his/our praise. *i just had to comment*

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  162. That can only be God! Awesome God!

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  163. The Lord keep and uphold you, Okene. Even if you don't think so yet, you'll get over the sad experience. Hmm...Tragedy always leaves more than the dead victims behind. How sad that this man survived but will be unable to enjoy his survival for a while. Remembering the horror and his dead fellows will keep him awake many nights to follow. It is well.

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  164. Wow wat a mıracle.

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  165. And some people say there is no God... You are blessed.

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  166. This guy is a real hero.
    The good nigerian

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  167. Omg! The horror! You are indeed a miracle. The Lord will keep blessing you.

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  168. OMG thats inspirational,the lord is surely a shield in times of trouble.check out dis link http://startreferraljob.com/

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  169. WOW...Even when all else fails God supports you!

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  170. Dt could have only been God..Thank God for His Mercies....

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  171. jah Jehovah, it looks like an american film, oh God, tnk u for saving his life, but he will live never to forget this incedence, kai nawaoooo, two days in salt water? May d dead ones rip...... Yaxx.

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  172. Am happy 4 u man,miracle still exist.God save u 4 a purpose

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  173. I call dat miracle..

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  174. O.M.G!!! Miracles still happen and dis is a perfect example of one. Thank u Jesus. You alone is worthy of his/our praise. *i just had to comment*

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  175. God is good 2 his people!

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  176. Dat is wat u call a miracle!

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  177. God is with u bro.
    Damn!

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  178. Linda Ikeji is Sexy-Davido

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  179. Tesa...

    It can only be God, praise be His name for sparing your life Mr Okene.

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  180. Only a God like you,God is awesome,thank him always,is not by our righteousness,he said our righteousness is like a filthy rag before,am happy you were given a second chance to life

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  181. Awesome God,always be a miracle worker!

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  182. What a miracle! Our God is able

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  183. Thank God 4his life.
    ~D great anonymous!

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  184. I'm a true believer of God's wonders. God spared this mans life for a purpose. Thank God.

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  185. Wow....may Allah protect us all ooo
    Thank God he survived sha..nd to those who didn't,may their soul rest in peace

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Linda Ikeji.

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