THREE DROWN, ELEVEN RESCUED IN LAGOS BOAT MISHAP

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Three persons drowned while 11 were rescued late Monday evening when a passenger boat capsized along Ibeshe-Ikorodu channel.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at about 7:30 pm after the boat suddenly developed a mechanical fault.

The Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident.

“The agency responded to distress calls concerning a passenger boat which took off from Addax Jetty around 7pm.

“On arrival, it was discovered that passenger ferry boat named Oluwaseyifunmi carrying 14 people had capsized due to a suspected mechanical fault and was rapidly submerged following its departure from the aforementioned terminal.

“A combined team of water guards, the search and rescue team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, and agency responders were mobilized to the scene of the incident, leading to the rescue of 11 persons alive who have been taken to Ibeshe Ferry Terminal for treatment.

“Three passengers were retrieved dead and Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU, has been tasked with transferring their bodies to state mortuary,” he affirmed.

It was gathered that LASWA and relevant authorities have begun investigation into the cause of the mishap.