By Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has rescued 17 passengers after the ferry they boarded capsized in Lagos Lagoon on Saturday.
LASWA General Manager, Oluwadamilare Emmanuel, in a press release, stated that the ferry passenger boat named GT Water Line 4 lost its bearing 20 minutes after it took off from Ebute-Ero enroute Ikorodu terminal.
The boat was said to have left Ebute-Ero at about 5:15pm with 14 male and 3 female. With reason yet to be disclosure, the boat went off the course. Fortunately, a signal was quickly sent to LASWA Patrol team who reportedly sprout into action and embarked on a successful rescue mission.
“LASWA Patrol team and some other Boat Operators were swift to respond to the distress call from the boat thereby able to rescue all 17 passengers onboard alive which included 2minors, apparently all passengers were putting on their life jackets which was greatly responsible for safe rescue of all onboard,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Authority has taken both the boat and its captain in custody for investigation into to cause of the disaster.
LASWA, however, issued a stern warning to boat operators against the recurrence of such incidence. The operators are to strictly adhere to stipulated safety measures. The Authority also stressed the need for passengers and waterway users to use life jacket at all time.
Recall that a similar incident happened last month when a boat which took off from CMS Ferry Terminal capsized few minutes after.
The boat named TEMI 3 GLOBAL was involved in an accident after hitting an underwater obstacle fifteen minutes into the journey. The accident claimed the life of a passenger while the remaining 16 were rescued.
