Barely one month after a speed boat capsized
in Bayeku area of Ikorodu leaving many dead, another speed boat belonging to
Oke’ra-Nla Boat Association in Ajah area of Lagos, at the weekend capsized,
leaving four persons dead while one person is still missing as at press time, the Vanguard Newspaper reports.
in Bayeku area of Ikorodu leaving many dead, another speed boat belonging to
Oke’ra-Nla Boat Association in Ajah area of Lagos, at the weekend capsized,
leaving four persons dead while one person is still missing as at press time, the Vanguard Newspaper reports.
The boat with 22
passengers, was heading for Bayeku from Oke-Ira.
passengers, was heading for Bayeku from Oke-Ira.
There were conflicting
accounts of cause of the accident. While some attributed it to the boat
colliding with a log of wood, another account said it was caused by boisterous
water waves.
accounts of cause of the accident. While some attributed it to the boat
colliding with a log of wood, another account said it was caused by boisterous
water waves.
An eye witness,
who pleaded anonymity, said the boat was hit from behind by another boat which
was on top speed.
who pleaded anonymity, said the boat was hit from behind by another boat which
was on top speed.
Both were said to
have been hit by water waves and could not help the situation as the one behind
allegedly lost control and hit the ill-fated boat which then capsized.
have been hit by water waves and could not help the situation as the one behind
allegedly lost control and hit the ill-fated boat which then capsized.
Seventeen persons
were rescued while four bodies were recovered, and one was still missing at
press time.
were rescued while four bodies were recovered, and one was still missing at
press time.
The four bodies
were said to be carpenters who went for jobs in Ajah and were returning to
Agbowa area after a week.
were said to be carpenters who went for jobs in Ajah and were returning to
Agbowa area after a week.
Some of the
passengers were said to have refused to wear their life jackets for the fear of
Ebola Virus Diseases, EVD.
passengers were said to have refused to wear their life jackets for the fear of
Ebola Virus Diseases, EVD.
A local diver who
does not want his name in print said the four bodies were found inside the
damaged boat.
does not want his name in print said the four bodies were found inside the
damaged boat.
“The boat
operator was dumbfounded and could not recollect the number of passengers in
the boat. It was when we got to the jetty that we cross-checked the number and
we went back only to find four bodies inside the boat,” the diver said.
operator was dumbfounded and could not recollect the number of passengers in
the boat. It was when we got to the jetty that we cross-checked the number and
we went back only to find four bodies inside the boat,” the diver said.
The boat operator
was said to be undergoing interrogation by the Police while officers of the
affected company were said to have been invited by officials of the Lagos State Waterways Agency, LASWA, for
questioning.
was said to be undergoing interrogation by the Police while officers of the
affected company were said to have been invited by officials of the Lagos State Waterways Agency, LASWA, for
questioning.
