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| Photo credit: Google images |
Five persons were on Saturday confirmed dead with five
others missing after a boat accident along Lagos-Ikorodu waterways.
others missing after a boat accident along Lagos-Ikorodu waterways.
The mishap which occurred around Bayeku-
Igbogbo in Ikorodu at about noon was said to have been caused by a steering
problem, which the paddler could not control.
The boat was said to be coming from Oke Ira Nla jetty
at Ajah.
at Ajah.
Aside the bad condition of the boat, the
crew were said to be inexperienced and were over speeding.
crew were said to be inexperienced and were over speeding.
It was gathered that the boat had 20
passengers and two crew members, out of which 17 persons were rescued by local
fishermen at Igbogbo jetty and rushed to different hospitals.
passengers and two crew members, out of which 17 persons were rescued by local
fishermen at Igbogbo jetty and rushed to different hospitals.
It was also learnt that the enclosed
nature of the boat exacerbated the passengers’ survival chances.
nature of the boat exacerbated the passengers’ survival chances.
Of the 17 rescued from the water, it was
gathered that one died at Mica Hospital and four others passed on at Ikorodu
General Hospital.
gathered that one died at Mica Hospital and four others passed on at Ikorodu
General Hospital.
Confirming the development, the General
Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Michael Akindele,
said the boat captain has been arrested and was being questioned by Marine
Policemen from Ikoyi.
Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Michael Akindele,
said the boat captain has been arrested and was being questioned by Marine
Policemen from Ikoyi.
He said they got the call at about 1:29pm,
more than an hour after the mishap.
more than an hour after the mishap.
Akindele confirmed there were 20
passengers and two crew members on the boat, acknowledging that 17 persons have
been found, with five confirmed dead.
passengers and two crew members on the boat, acknowledging that 17 persons have
been found, with five confirmed dead.
“Our investigation revealed that 20
passengers were on board and two crew members (the captain and his assistant)
before the mishap.
passengers were on board and two crew members (the captain and his assistant)
before the mishap.
“15 passengers and two crew members were
rescued by local fishermen around Bayeku jetty, Igbogbo.
rescued by local fishermen around Bayeku jetty, Igbogbo.
“Four of the people rescued were taken to
a hospital at Bayeku. Three of them are presently responding to treatment while
one has been confirmed dead.
a hospital at Bayeku. Three of them are presently responding to treatment while
one has been confirmed dead.
“Seven others among the rescued passengers
were taken to Ikorodu General Hospital where four were confirmed dead, two were
treated and discharged and one in critical condition.
were taken to Ikorodu General Hospital where four were confirmed dead, two were
treated and discharged and one in critical condition.
“Those who have been confirmed dead
include four adult males and a female. In
all, 17 persons were recovered from the water,” Akindele said.
include four adult males and a female. In
all, 17 persons were recovered from the water,” Akindele said.
Source: The Nation
