27 feared dead as boat capsizes in Lagos

DEJI LAMBO

No fewer than 27 people were feared killed after a boat mishap at Egbin, near Ijede, in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

Our correspondent gathered that the boat, conveying passengers from Lekki, capsized when it approached Egbin.

An eyewitness, Hogan Bassey, said two corpses have been recovered as rescue operation by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority was ongoing.

Bassey said, “A mishap happened last night around Egbin. According to officials conducting the rescue operation, 18 passengers were on board but what I gathered from a reliable source was that 27 people were on board and only two bodies have been recovered.

“The accident happened around 7.38pm and the passengers boarded the boat at Lekki and were going to Egbin, in Ijede. They were very close to Egbin when the accident happened. The rescue operation is still  ongoing.”

The Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said two corpses have been recovered while rescue operation was ongoing.

Oke-Osanyintolu said, “About 20 passengers were on board when the boat capsized. Rescue operation is ongoing, but two bodies have been recovered.”

When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, who confirmed the accident to our correspondent, said rescue operation was ongoing.

Elkana said, “A joint rescue operation which involved our marine police is ongoing.”