At least 21 passengers are feared drowned following a tragic boat accident on Monday in Imore town, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos State.
The incident occurred when two boats, each carrying 16 passengers, collided in the middle of the lagoon and capsized.
According to The PUNCH, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Tuesday.
He said the accident was reported to the Ilashe police division around 7 p.m., and emergency responders, including marine police and local divers, were quickly dispatched to the scene.
“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, collided in the middle of the lagoon at Imore town,” Hundeyin said. “As a result, the boats capsized, and passengers, along with their goods, were thrown into the water.”
Hundeyin added that 11 passengers were rescued and rushed to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for treatment of their injuries. “Emergency responders, including marine policemen, local divers, and other teams, swiftly mobilised to the scene where 11 passengers were rescued and taken for medical attention,” he stated.
As of now, several passengers remain unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing to recover their bodies. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision.
