EDITOR’S PICK
EKO HOT BLOG reports that tragedy struck again on Friday night as no fewer than 16 passengers have been declared missing after the boat they boarded from Mile 2 en route Ibeshe in Ojo area of Lagos State reportedly capsized.
This is coming barely three days after a similar accident occurred around Ikorodu area of Lagos State leading to the death of two passengers.
The Lagos Area Manager, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Sarat Braimah, has confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.
Mrs Braimah said that 16 passengers onboard the ill-fated boat were yet to be accounted for.
According to her, the boat broke the waterways rules of late travelling by setting sail at 7.45pm, saying the tide of the water drifted the boat to a stationary barge which caused the boat to overturn.
“At about 7.45 today the 8th of July 2022, The National Inland Waterways Authority and Lagos State Waterways Authority received a distress call of an incident on the waterways.
“A W19 passenger Fibre boat carrying 16 persons capsized along the Ojo area of the state. The Boat going from Mile 2 to Ibeshe in Ojo axis broke the waterways rules of late travelling by setting sail at 7.45pm.
“As he set out, the tide of the water drifted the boat to a stationary barge which caused the boat to overturn. It is said that all passengers on board which include children were not all putting on their life jackets.”
According to her, NIWA, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), mobilised to to scene of the incident.
“The Search and Rescue team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), National Inland Waterways (NIWA) and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) were immediately mobilized to the scene of the incident but unfortunately could only find the boat after several hours while efforts are still ongoing to locate the victims.
FURTHER READING
“The Boat is currently in the custody of Marine Police. The Boat Captain is also unaccounted for as at the time of this press release.”
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