Tragedy struck on Monday at Imore town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State when two boats.collided with at least 21 passengers missing.
According to reports, each of the boats was ferrying 16 passengers, when they collided and capsized in the middle of the lagoon.
Confirming the tragedy in a press statement on Tuesday, spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the accident was reported to the Ilashe police division at about 7 p.m. on the fateful day.
Hundeyn said emergency responders, including marine police and local divers, were swiftly mobilised to the scene and were able to rescue 11 passengers who sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The injured are receiving treatment at the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, the police spokesman added.
“On October 7, 2024,” the statement reads, “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.”
Hundeyin, however, informed that efforts are ongoing in the search for the missing 11.
