Lagos Boat Capsize Claims One, 27 Others Rescued

Chiemelie Ezeobi

A 28-seater passenger boat traveling from Ikorodu to Lagos Island, wednesday capsized behind Dangote Company at Ebute Ikorodu area of Lagos, claiming the life of one passenger.

Although the commercial boat identified as HMS 1, was said to have capsized with all persons onboard thrown overboard, 27 of them were rescued alive by local divers.

During rescue operations, the corpse of the lone victim was finally recovered at noon.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency ( LASEMA), Mr Michael Akindele, who confirmed the incident, said preliminary investigation by its response team revealed that the boat took off from Ikorodu en route Victorial Island.

He said the boat ought to have carried about 21 passengers but rather opted to carry 28 persons, which was way above the boat’s capacity.

According to him, the driver of the boat was said to be on high speed when it collided with some submerged log of woods resulting to the mishap.

He said, “Emergency responders such as the Lagos State Water Ways Authority, Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, LASEMA Emergency Response Team, LASAMBUS, Nigeria Police responded promptly to the incident. At the end, about 27 persons were rescued while one dead body was recovered.”

He said that proper investigation would be conducted on the incident, adding that boat operators should avoid over speeding and to always comply with safety regulations on the waterways to avoid loss of lives.