Six missing, 22 rescued from Lagos boat disaster

At least six passengers on board a boat were feared dead after it capsized in a lagoon in the Majidun area off Ikorodu in Lagos State on Wednesday evening.

However, 22 others, who also fell of the boat were rescued by local divers.

The development occurred barely two weeks after 13 people died at the 4th Avenue, 42 Road, Festac Town, Festac, Lagos State.

According to an anonymous source, the boat was filled with working class people who were headed home after the day’s job.

“I was told that a boat with about 28 passengers fell off a boat on Wednesday evening. Some of the victims were said to have been dressed formally and were returning after the day’s work,” he said.

Although details remained sketchy as of press time, rescue officials said members of the community confirmed the incident.

The spokesperson, National Emergency Management Agency, South-West zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, told our correspondent on the telephone 22 people had been recovered from the water while six remained unaccounted for

Farinloye, who spoke to our correspondent around 9.45pm, said, “We were told that a boat with 28 passengers capsized around 6pm in the Majidun River. Local divers were said to have jumped into the water and evacuated 22 people.

“We were told that the 22 people survived. However, six others are presently unaccounted for.

“NEMA officials along with men of the Nigerian Navy and the marine policemen officials of the National Inland Waterways Authority are patrolling the water in a bid to recover bodies.”

PUNCHNG