3 Drowned, 11 Rescued As Passenger Boat Capsizes In Lagos
At least three people — two males and a female have been confirmed dead while 11 others were rescued alive as a passenger boat capsized along the Ibeshe-Ikorodu channel late Monday evening.
The unfortunate incident, according to eyewitnesses, occurred at about 7.30 pm after the boat suddenly developed a mechanical fault.
The Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, confirmed the incident.
According to Oke-Osanyitolu, “The agency responded to distress calls concerning a Passenger Boat which took off from Addax Jetty around 7 pm.
“On arrival, it was discovered that a passenger ferry boat named Oluwaseyifunmi carrying 14 people had capsized due to a suspected mechanical fault and was rapidly submerged following its departure from the aforementioned terminal.
“A combined team of water guards, the search and rescue team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, and agency responders were mobilized to the scene of the incident, leading to the rescue of 11 people alive who have been taken to Ibeshe Ferry Terminal for treatment.
“Three passengers were retrieved dead, and Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU, has been tasked with transferring their bodies to the state mortuary,” Oke-Osanyitolu affirmed.
Meanwhile, LASWA and relevant authorities have commenced an investigation into the cause of the mishap.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
