January 30, 2016 – At least seven people have been confirmed dead when a 20 seater passenger boat capsized in Badore in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria.
“A 20 passenger capacity boat reportedly conveying 17 passengers from ijede en route Badore capsized at about 10.20am today 30th January , the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency(LASEMA) said in a statement signed by its General Manager, Mr. Michael Akindele.
He said that the boat, belonging to Akin Marine had 17 passengers and two crew members on board, and collided with an obstacle at a dredging point.
He said 7 passengers have been confirmed dead and that four others rescued are currently receiving medical attention and that passenger manifest of the boat is not yet available.
“The rescue operations was carried out by the combined effort of Lagos State Water Ways Authority, Marine Police National Inland Water Ways Authority, Emergency Response Team of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire Service and the local divers preliminary investigation revealed that the boat belonging to Aki Marine had 17 passengers and 2 crew members on board, was alleged to have collided at a dredging point enrout Ijede.
“Seven (7) passengers were confirmed dead, while 4 male others were rescued and are presently receiving treatment at Ijede General Hospital. The Agency is still expecting the boat manifest. The rescue operation is ongoing while further investigation would be carried out by the appropriate agencies to ascertain the actual cause of the accident’’, he said and advised boat operators and passengers to observe necessary safety measures such as the use of life jacket and regular checks of boat facilities before embarking on water transportation
