Ten persons has reportedly died and four persons declared missing following a boat mishap that occurred at Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos recently.
Confirming the incident in a statement in Lagos, the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Damilola Emmanuel disclosed that an open boat reportedly carrying 19 passengers capsized at about 6.00pm while enroute Badagry from Kirikiri.
Emmanuel noted that a survivor’s account stated that the boat Captain got distracted trying to collect fares from a passenger and the boat was overturned by the current and most passengers were yet to put on their lifejackets properly.
“Rescue effort was immediate as the boat was just a few meters from the landing in which they left from but only 5 people were able to be rescued.
“A total of 19 persons were involved in the incident, 5 were rescued with 10 persons confirmed dead and 4 still unaccounted for including the boat deckhand.
“LASWA has apprehended the boat captain and has handed him over to marine police for further investigation and sanctions.
“The Emergency and Regulatory Authorities are still on a search and rescue operation”, he further said.
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