At least 21 passengers are feared dead following a tragic boat accident that occurred on Monday evening at Imore town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The incident happened when two passenger boats, each carrying 16 people, collided and capsized in the middle of the lagoon, leaving many of the passengers submerged in the water.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the incident was reported to the Ilashe police division at about 7 p.m.
He confirmed that emergency responders, including the marine police and local divers, were quickly mobilized to the scene and managed to rescue 11 passengers who sustained injuries.
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“On October 7, 2024, at about 7 p.m., 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,” Hundeyin said.
The rescued victims were immediately transported to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for urgent medical attention.
Meanwhile, the remaining passengers are still unaccounted for, and search and rescue operations are ongoing to recover their bodies. The spokesperson confirmed that efforts are being intensified to locate the missing persons, and investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the collision.
The police have yet to confirm the exact number of casualties, but the fear of losing at least 21 passengers has cast a shadow of grief over the community.
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This latest incident highlights ongoing safety concerns regarding water transportation in Lagos State, where boat accidents are not uncommon.
Authorities have repeatedly warned boat operators to adhere to safety regulations and avoid overcrowding their vessels, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Lagos State government and emergency agencies are expected to provide further updates as search and rescue operations continue at the scene of the accident.