21 people have reportedly died after a boat accident occurred at Imore town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, News About Nigeria reports.
This was disclosed by the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Tuesday.
He noted that two boats, each ferrying 16 passengers, had collided and capsized in the middle of the lagoon, drowning at least 21 people.
Hundeyin stated that the unfortunate inconvenience sent had happened on Monday, and was reported to the Ilashe police division at about 7 pm yesterday.
According to him, emergency responders, including marine police and local divers, were swiftly mobilised to the scene and rescued 11 passengers who sustained injuries.
The police spokesperson 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.”
He, however, stated that other passengers remain unaccounted for, adding that efforts to recover their bodies are currently underway.
He also noted that an investigation has commenced into the cause of the accident.
