At least 21 passengers are feared to have drowned in a boat accident that occurred on Monday in Imore town, located in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The tragedy unfolded when two boats, each carrying 16 passengers, collided and capsized in the lagoon.
Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, issued a press release on Tuesday stating that the incident was reported to the Ilashe police division around 7 PM.
He mentioned that emergency responders, including marine police and local divers, were quickly dispatched to the scene and managed to rescue 11 passengers who sustained injuries.
These injured individuals were transported to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for medical care.
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.”
Meanwhile, other passengers remain unaccounted for, and Hundeyin confirmed that efforts to recover their bodies are currently ongoing.
He also mentioned that an investigation into the incident is in progress.