No fewer than twenty-one (21) individuals reportedly drowned following a boat accident that took place on Monday in Imore town, located within the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Reports revealed that the incident occurred when two boats, each carrying 16 passengers, collided and subsequently capsized in the lagoon.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, reported in a press release on Tuesday that the incident was communicated to the Ilashe police division around 7 pm.
He noted that emergency responders, including marine police and local divers, were promptly dispatched to the location, where they successfully rescued 11 passengers who had sustained injuries.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the injured individuals were transported to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for necessary 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.”
Other passengers are still unaccounted for, as Hundeyin has confirmed that efforts to recover their bodies are actively being pursued.
Additionally, he mentioned that an investigation into the incident is currently being conducted.
