Just three days after the unfortunate boat accident in the Ikorodu area of Lagos state that left two passengers dead, another boat accident occurred on Friday night, in the Mile 2 area.
The Lagos Area Manager, Mr. National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)Sarat Braimah confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.
Ms Braimah said she had not yet become aware of the 16 passengers on board the wreck.
“At approximately 7:45 pm on July 8, the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Lagos State Waterways Authority received a distress call regarding an incident on the waterways.
“A W19 Fiber passenger boat carrying 16 people capsized in the Ojo area of the state.
“The ship, which was going from mile 2 to Ibeshe on the Ojo axis, broke the waterways rules of traveling late by setting sail at 7:45 pm,” he said.
Ms. Braimah said the tidal waters swung the boat onto a stationary barge causing it to capsize.
“It is said that not all passengers on board, including children, were donning life jackets.
“The search and rescue team from the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), National Waterways (NIWA) immediately mobilized to the scene of the incident but unfortunately were only able to find the boat after several hours.
“Efforts are still underway to locate the victims.
“The ship’s captain is also missing at the time of this press release,” he said.
Ms. Braimah noted that the ship was currently in the custody of the Maritime Police.
(YAYA)