Two boats carrying 16 passengers each collided and capsized in the lagoon at Imore town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State on Monday night, feared to have drowned at least 21 passengers.
Rescue efforts continue, with an unspecified number of survivors reported.
DSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, said the incident a was reported at the Ilashe police division at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Emergency responders, including marine police and local divers, swiftly mobilized to the scene and rescued 11 passengers who sustained injuries, according to him.
He stated that the injured received immediate medical attention at the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija.
The statement reads: “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.”
Rescue teams are currently working to recover the bodies of the remaining unaccounted passengers, according to Hundeyin.
He also announced the launch of an investigation into the cause of the fatal boat collision.
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