By Ten persons have been confirmed dead and four others missing after a commercial boat with 19 persons onboard capsized in Apapa axis of Lagos State.
Five persons were however pulled out of water by state emergency and rescue officials after the boat overturned, throwing the entire passengers into the lagoon
The boat, which left Kirikiri jetty for Badagry jetty with 19 passengers capsized at about 6.00 pm after hitting an unknown object.
A survivor of the ill-fated boat, attributed the accident to the captain’s non-adherence to waterways safety measures.
The survivor stated that the boat captain got distracted while trying to collect fares from a passenger and that the action caused the boat been overturned by the current.
According to the survivor, the number of casualties would have been minimal if the captain had allowed passengers to put on their life jackets properly before demanding for fares.
Confirming the disaster, General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, through a statement hinted that rescue operation was still ongoing.
Emmanuel added that the boat captain was already under detention with marine police for further investigation and sanctions.
According to him, a total of 19 passengers were involved in the incident, five persons already rescued with 10 persons confirmed dead and four still unaccounted for including the boat deckhand who was seen before the mishap.
