Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Two people have been confirmed dead and four rescued after a fishing boat, heading to Offin Ibeshe in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, capsized into the Lagos lagoon at around 7pm on Monday.
This news was confirmed in a statement by the General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel.
He said the boat involved was conveying seven passengers, including five adults, the boat captain and two toddlers, when the incident happened. He added that the victims were going to a relative’s funeral.
“The boat from Makoko Community capsized into the Lagos lagoon while heading to Offin area in Ikorodu,”
Further inquires revealed that the cause of the incidence was the rough water current usually recorded around the area.
The first responders to the incident was a passenger ferry that witnessed the incident before the arrival of LASWA rescue team.”
Inquiries reveal that the fishing boat was clearly operating outside its fishing capability and therefore not equipped with necessary safety gadgets for passengers ferry operation. It carried the occupants who are all related and headed to Offin for a relative’s funeral.”
“Upon further investigations, it was revealed that all seven passengers aboard were not wearing a lifejacket. Four passengers were rescued alive, two fatalities, and one passenger missing.”
The men of the LASEMA and Marine Police have been contacted to support the ongoing search operation for the remaining victim while further investigation is ongoing.”
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