A tragic boat accident has left at least 21 passengers feared dead after two boats collided and capsized in the Imore area of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Lagos State. The incident, which occurred on the evening of Monday, October 7, 2024, has sent shockwaves through the community as authorities rush to account for missing persons.
According to a statement released by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, the disaster was reported to the Ilashe Police Division at around 7 p.m. on Monday. The two boats involved in the accident were reportedly ferrying a total of 32 passengers when they collided in the middle of the lagoon. The collision caused both boats to overturn, throwing passengers and their belongings into the water.
Emergency response teams, including marine police and local divers, were quickly dispatched to the scene in a coordinated rescue operation. Fortunately, 11 passengers were saved from the water, although they sustained various injuries. The survivors were promptly transported to the Naval Hospital located in Navy Town, Alakija, where they are receiving medical attention. Their current conditions have not been fully disclosed.
However, despite the efforts of rescuers, many passengers remain missing, feared to have drowned during the incident. Hundeyin confirmed in his statement that efforts to recover the bodies of the missing passengers are ongoing.
The statement read, “On October 7, 2024, at 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.”
