21 passengers die in Lagos boat accident

Twenty-one passengers have lost their lives after two boats drowned at Imore town in Amuwo-Odofin LGA of Lagos state.

The two boats, each carrying 16 passengers, reportedly collided and capsized in the middle of the lagoon on Monday night.

Confirming the incident, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police spokesperson, said it was reported to the Ilashe police division at about 7 pm on Monday.

He said during rescue operations, 11 passengers were rescued while “21 persons drowned”.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

As at the time of filing this report, TheCable is yet to receive an update from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).