Two persons were said to have lost their lives in a ghastly accident involving a commercial boat travelling from Ipakodo, in Ikorodu to Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday morning.
Fortunately, 15 others were rescued, while three persons were still missing as at press time.
The boat was said to be carrying about 20 passengers at the time of the accident which witnesses said occurred around 4.30 am on Wednesday.
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The witnesses alleged that the first to arrive at the scene were local fishermen before the arrival of rescuers from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and those from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
It was learnt that those who died in the unfortunate incident are two female passengers.
The general manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, confirmed the accident and said it happened in the early hours of Wednesday.
He further said that immediately after the accident, the water guards and the search and rescue team of LASWA were mobilized to the scene of the incident, leading to the rescue of 15 persons alive.
He added that a full investigation into the cause of the accident was ongoing.
Emmanuel said, “At 7:45 am on July 6, 2022, a 20 passenger ferry boat carrying 17 passengers named “R & N 2” suddenly capsized due to mechanical fault less than 200 meters from the terminal and submerged immediately after it departed the Ipakodo Ferry Terminal in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State
“The water guards and the search and rescue team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) were mobilized to the scene of the incident, leading to the rescue of 15 persons alive.
“While two female unconscious passengers were rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment. They were, however, later confirmed dead at the hospital.
“The boat captain is currently being investigated by the relevant authorities while a full investigation into the cause of this accident is ongoing as of the time of this press release,” he said.
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