Five dead in Lagos boat accident
NEWS DIGEST – At least five persons on Wednesday evening died after an Ikorodu bound boat capsized mid river.
The boat belonging to Blue Boat Limited was said to be coming from CMS, Lagos Island and had 18 passengers when it hit a dead wood and capsized.
Among the deceased, it was gathered were four females and a male, all adults, who were taken to Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary by rescuers.
According to the Managing Director, Lagos Inland Waterways Authority (LASWA), Damilola Emmanuel, 13 persons were rescued.
He said: “Blue Boat Ferry was travelling from Marina Jetty heading towards Ikorodu Terminal loaded with 18 passengers and two crew members.
“The boat capsized at about few minutes after 5pm while it was on its last leg of the journey not too far from destination.
“Thirteen people have been rescued while five are dead. We are still searching for the remaining two persons.”
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He said the boat has been recovered from the scene while joint rescue effort by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASWA patrol team and boat operators was ongoing.
Emmanuel said upon completion of rescue efforts, a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident would be conducted.
He said: “We are deeply saddened by this incident by a lone boat on Tuesday evening by 5pm. Immediately we were informed, we mobilised our emergency rescue team and we were able to save 13 persons. Unfortunately we lost five persons.
“We have recovered the boat, and once rescue effort is concluded, we will begin investigation into what caused the incident to prevent such going forward. Some eye witnesses have told us that the boat was leaking, however, we would do a thorough investigation to know what exactly transpired.”
The LASWA boss, who also confirmed that the passengers were wearing life jackets as at the time of the incident, said the casualties may have been caused by the high tide of the sea.
