A combined effort of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) have rescued 15 passengers in an ill-fated boat enroute Ipakodo-Lagos Island that capsized at about 7.45am on Wednesday.
The unfortunate incident was reported to Lagos Panorama in a press release signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu who stated that “The Lion squad of the agency responded to the above incident today 6th of July 2022”.
On arrival, it was discovered that a 20 passenger ferry boat carrying 17 passengers named “R & N 2” had capsized due to a suspected mechanical fault and was rapidly submerged following its departure from the Ipakodo ferry terminal.
Oke-Osanyintolu also reported that “a combined team of Water guards, the search and rescue team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) andLASEMA Agency responders were mobilized to the scene of the incident, leading to the rescue of 15 persons alive”:.
“2 adult female passengers were retrieved unconscious and were transferred to the nearest hospital for treatment. They unfortunately never regained consciousness and were later declared dead”.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government is currently probing the captain of the ill-fated boat marked “R & N 2”, which capsized on Wednesday, in Ikorodu, Lagos, leading to the death of two passengers while 15 others were rescued.
The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, who also disclosed this said the captain is already in custody to explain how the incident occurred.
A personnel of Ikorodu Ferry Terminal who does not want her name in print said the incident occurred shortly after the 22-passenger boat took off from Ipakodo Terminal.
He affirmed “the boat suddenly developed mechanical fault and submerged on the waterways barely 200 meters away from it’s take -off point,” according to the General Manager, “Emmanuel disclosed that the Water guards, as well as the search and rescue team of the LASWA, were mobilized immediately to the incident scene, leading to the rescue of 15 people.
“Two female unconscious passengers were rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment. They were, however, later confirmed dead at the hospital.
“The Boat Captain is currently being investigated by the relevant authorities while full investigation into the cause of this mishap is ongoing, to get more details.
