Several people have been injured, while five are still missing and feared dead following a boat accident that occurred during their night voyage, Monday, October 7.
The two unregistered passenger boats collided in the middle of the lagoon near Imore Town, Lagos..
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), in a statement on Tuesday, confirmed the tragic incident.
“At approximately 7:00 PM, ‘Only God 13,’ a fiber boat traveling from Ebutte Ero to Badagry with 15 passengers, including the captain and deckhand, collided with a wooden boat carrying 10 passengers from Alakija to Imore,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
Also confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Command said the mishap resulted in the capsizing of both boats, each carrying 16 passengers, leaving several people injured and others missing.
Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said “a distress call was received at the Ilashe Division around 7pm on Monday. Two unregistered passenger boats, both carrying 16 passengers, allegedly collided in the middle of the lagoon at Imore Town.
“In the process, both boats capsized, and the passengers, along with their goods, were thrown into the water.”
He said a response team of conventional and marine police officers, local divers, and other emergency responders were deployed to the scene.
Hundeyin stated: “So far, 11 passengers have been rescued with injuries and were rushed to Naval Hospital, Navy Town Alakija, for medical attention.
“While the rescue mission has made significant progress, the operation is still ongoing to recover the bodies of the remaining passengers who are feared to have drowned. We are working closely with all emergency services to bring this unfortunate situation under control.
“As of now, an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collision, and authorities are urging boat operators to adhere to safety regulations, including proper registration of vessels and ensuring that passengers wear life jackets.”
