6 Die, Others Rescued In Lagos Boat Accident

At least six passengers were confirmed dead yesterday while four others were rescued in a boat mishap which occurred on the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun water channel in Lagos State.

The Marine passenger boat was said to have departed Ilashe Beach House for its destination when the accident occurred midway into the journey around Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of the state.

The boat accident was confirmed by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) through a joint statement made available to the media.

According to the waterways authorities, search and rescue operations were ongoing to ascertain the total number of persons on board before the boat capsized.

The authorities explained that, “Upon receiving a distress alert, they immediately activated their Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, which responded promptly and worked in close collaboration with the Marine Police and other first responders.

“As of the time of this report, four (4) passengers have been successfully rescued and transported to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention. Sadly, six (6) other passengers were recovered dead at the scene. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing to account for all persons involved.

“Preliminary findings indicate that a collision with a submerged object may have caused the incident; however, further investigations are still ongoing to fully ascertain the cause of the mishap. LASWA and NIWA wish to assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available.

“LASWA and NIWA extend their deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and assure the public of their continued commitment to ensuring safety on Lagos Inland Waterways. The Authorities also reiterate the importance of adhering to all safety regulations, including proper navigation practices and compliance with the ‘No Night Travel’ rule.

“Members of the public are advised to remain calm and rely only on verified information from LASWA\NIWA and other official sources.”