A single fatality has been verified in a boat mishap that took place in the Ikoyi region of Lagos State.
Reports indicate that fifteen passengers were successfully rescued during the incident, which occurred around 6:50 pm on Wednesday.
According to a statement by Wuraola Alake, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Waterways Authority, obtained by newsmen, the ferry, carrying 17 passengers, collided with a submerged concrete structure at a construction site along the power line corridor at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.
Alake, while confirming the casualty, stated that one person was declared missing.
The statement read, “At about 6.50pm today Wednesday 21, 2024, an Ibeshe bound passenger ferry named T-Ben, having departed from Addax jetty, had a collision with a submerged shoreline concrete at a construction site around the power line corridor at the Lekki Ikoyi Link Bridge.
“15 out of the 17 passengers said to be on board this boat have been rescued with one casualty confirmed, while rescue effort is still ongoing as at the time of issuing this statement.”
Alake additionally revealed that officers from the Search and Rescue Unit of the agency, along with other volunteers, continue to conduct further rescue operations.
In a recent incident, two passengers, Misturat Okunbanjo and Azeezat Amoo, were tragically confirmed dead following a boat capsizing in the Isawo community of the Ikorodu area in Lagos State.
Four other individuals were fortunate to be rescued from the accident, which occurred around 8 pm.
Ololade Agboola, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, made this known in a statement, noting that the capsized boat was en route from Olorunsogo to Isawo.