A devastating boat accident struck Imore, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area in Lagos on Monday, leaving at least 21 passengers feared drowned.
The incident which occurred after the collision of two boats, each ferrying 16 passengers, capsized in the middle of the lagoon.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, announced in a Tuesday press release that the Ilashe police division received a report of the incident around 7 p.m.
He further stated that a swift emergency response ensued, mobilizing marine police and local divers who successfully rescued 11 passengers with injuries.
He added that the injured were rushed to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for medical attention.
The statement read, “On October 7, 2024, at about 7 pm, a distress call was received at the Ilashe Division reporting that two unregistered passenger boats, each carrying 16 passengers, allegedly collided in the middle of the lagoon at Imore town. As a result, the boats capsized, and the passengers drowned along with their goods.
“Based on the report, teams of conventional and marine policemen, local divers, and other emergency responders were swiftly mobilised to the scene, where 11 passengers were rescued with injuries and rushed to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for medical attention.”
In the meantime, other passengers remain unaccounted for, with Hundeyin confirming that efforts to recover their bodies are currently underway.
He further noted that an investigation into the incident is underway.
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