LASWA recovers one more body from Lagos boat mishap

Marine police rescue 3 in Badagry boat mishap
Illustrative picture. PHOTO: CMSBS

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Monday said one more body had been recovered, making seven people confirmed dead in a Saturday night boat mishap on Lagos Waterway.

LASWA General Manager, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, told newsmen in that this was against the initial six people confirmed dead.

Emmanuel, who noted that rescue operations were still ongoing, said that 10 people were still missing, while three people survived in the boat mishap.

The LASWA General Manager said that the authority would not relent in ensuring safety on the waterways.

He had said earlier that the boat mishap occurred mid-sea at 11.00 p.m on Saturday, June 29, along Badore-Ijede Route with only three survivors.

He said, “The agency at 11:20 p.m received a distress call that a 20-capacity unmarked passengers boat with 60″Hp engine capsised after being hit by several waves en route Egbin Jetty in Ijede, Ikorodu from a landing jetty in Badore – Ajah axis of Lagos State.

“An on the spot investigation carried out by LASWA revealed that the incident was caused by poor visibility on the part of the captain and non-wearing of life jackets by passengers.”

He said rescue efforts were being carried out by the combined operations of LASWA, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), Marine Unit of the Nigerian Police Force, and other relevant agencies.