Tragedy as 21 die in boat accident in Lagos

By Stephen Asaba-ase

No fewer than 21 passengers got drowned in a boat accident at Imore town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos state.

Congress learnt that the tragedy struck when two boats, each ferrying 16 passengers, collided and capsized in the middle of the lagoon.

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated in a statement on Tuesday said that the incident was reported at the Ilashe police division at about 7 pm on Monday.

According to him, emergency responders, including marine police and local divers, were swiftly mobilised to the scene and rescued 11 passengers who sustained injuries.

He noted that the injured were rushed to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for medical attention.

According to the statement, “On Oct. 7, 2024, at about 7 pm, a distress call was received at the Ilashe Division reporting that two unregistered passenger boats, each carrying 16 passengers, allegedly collided in the middle of the lagoon at Imore town. As a result, the boats capsized, and the passengers drowned along with their goods.

“Based on the report, teams of conventional and marine policemen, local divers, and other emergency responders were swiftly mobilised to the scene, where 11 passengers were rescued with injuries and rushed to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for medical attention.”

Hundeyin confirms that efforts to recover other bodies are currently underway.

He further noted that an investigation into the incident has commenced.