5 feared dead, others missing in Lagos boat mishap

Five persons were feared dead on Saturday and five others declared missing after a boat capsized along Lagos-Ikorodu waterways.

The incident which occurred around Bayeku- Igbogbo in Ikorodu at about 12pm was said to have been caused by a steering problem, which the paddler could not control, Ripples learnt.

The boat was said to be coming from Oke Ira Nla jetty at Ajah.

According to an eye-witness account, the boat was said to be in a bad condition even as the crew were said to be inexperienced.

Ripples gathered that the boat had 20 passengers and two crew, out if which 17 persons were rescued by local fishermen at Igbogbo jetty and rushed to different hospitals.

Of the 17 rescued from the water, Ripples was reliably informed that one of the victims died at Mica Hospital and four others passed on at Ikorodu General Hospital.

Confirming the development, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Micheal Akindele said the boat captain has been arrested and was being questioned by Marine Policemen from Ikoyi.

He said they got the call at about 1:29pm, more than an hour after the mishap.

Read also: Helicopter crashes into Lagos lagoon

According to Akindele, there were 20 passengers and two crew on the boat, while 17 persons have been found, with five confirmed dead.

“Our investigation revealed that 20 passengers were on board and two crew members (the captain and his assistant) before the mishap.

“15 passengers and 2 crew members were rescued by local fishermen around Bayeku jetty, Igbogbo.

“Four of the people rescued were taken to a hospital at Bayeku. Three of them are presently responding to treatment while one has been confirmed dead.

“Seven others among the rescued passengers were taken to Ikorodu General Hospital where four were confirmed dead, two were treated and discharged and one in critical condition.

“Those who have been confirmed dead include four adult males and a female. In all, 17 persons were recovered from the water.”

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