 |
| File photo |
Seventeen persons have been feared dead after being declared missing in the aftermath of a boat capsize on Saturday night, after the boat left the Ipakan boat jetty, Egbin, Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
Two bodies were recovered and three persons were rescued.
It was
gathered that the accident occurred due to overloading of the boat and night
travelling.
The boat was en route Badore in Ajah with 21 passengers on board.
Witnesses and rescue officials said the boat was overturned by a heavy current.
Witnesses and rescue officials said the boat was overturned by a heavy current.
Three persons were rescued by the combined efforts of the National Inland
Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA)
and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and were taken to a nearby
hospital.
Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA)
and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and were taken to a nearby
hospital.
The body of a woman, identified as Aniyikaye Oluwaseunfunmi, aged
40 and an unnamed person were found and bagged by the rescue team, while rescue
and recovery efforts were still ongoing as at the time of filing in this report
yesterday.
40 and an unnamed person were found and bagged by the rescue team, while rescue
and recovery efforts were still ongoing as at the time of filing in this report
yesterday.
The incident was said to have occurred at 7:38p.m. on Saturday,
after the boat left Badore Terminal in Ajah for Egbin Jetty in Ijede.
after the boat left Badore Terminal in Ajah for Egbin Jetty in Ijede.
The boat,
which had about 20 passengers onboard, was said to have been hit by several
waves, which made it to capsize, thereby emptying all passengers into the
lagoon.
which had about 20 passengers onboard, was said to have been hit by several
waves, which made it to capsize, thereby emptying all passengers into the
lagoon.
Three of the passengers swam to safety while the others didn’t make
it. As at 9:00a.m. Sunday, a body was pulled out from the lagoon after hours of
search. One of the people in the crowd confirmed it was his wife, who was
onboard the ill-fated boat.
it. As at 9:00a.m. Sunday, a body was pulled out from the lagoon after hours of
search. One of the people in the crowd confirmed it was his wife, who was
onboard the ill-fated boat.
When contacted, the Lagos General Manager of NIWA, Muazu Sambo,
explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the passengers were not
wearing life jackets as at the time of the boat mishap.
explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the passengers were not
wearing life jackets as at the time of the boat mishap.
He said: “I am tired of the behaviour of passengers in most of our
jetties. Many deliberately refuse to put on life jackets when given. The
Ikorodu accident revealed that many didn’t have life jackets on. Aside not
wearing life jackets, the boat ride occurred at night despite our ban on night
trips for ferry operators.”
jetties. Many deliberately refuse to put on life jackets when given. The
Ikorodu accident revealed that many didn’t have life jackets on. Aside not
wearing life jackets, the boat ride occurred at night despite our ban on night
trips for ferry operators.”
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader of the Lagos House of Assembly,
Sanai Agunbiade, has expressed sadness over the boat mishap. Agunbiade in a
post on his Facebook page, explained that the news about the boat mishap left
him with a heavy heart and sadness.
Sanai Agunbiade, has expressed sadness over the boat mishap. Agunbiade in a
post on his Facebook page, explained that the news about the boat mishap left
him with a heavy heart and sadness.
While sympathizing with the people of Ijede, and the families of
those involved, the lawmaker who is representing Ikorodu Constituency I,
disclosed that investigation has commenced by appropriate authorities in the
state.
those involved, the lawmaker who is representing Ikorodu Constituency I,
disclosed that investigation has commenced by appropriate authorities in the
state.
Guardian.
