The Lagos State Waterways Authority says the death toll in the Friday’s evening boat mishap near Ikorodu has risen to five, while one victim is still in critical condition.
The General Manager of LASWA, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, while providing an update on the incident.
According to him, 16 of the passengers on board the ill-fated ferry have so far been rescued by the rescue team, while search and rescue efforts are still ongoing.
Emmanuel said: “Rescue effort commenced this morning with the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, LASWA Search Party, Local Boat Operators, Marine Police and LASEMA (Lagos State Emergency Management Agency).
“So far 16 passengers have been rescued alive, with one person in critical condition and five fatalities recorded.
“The Lagos State Government through the Commissioner for Transportation commiserates with the families of those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.
“Search and rescue effort is still on going.”
Emmanuel the accident happened at Owode/Ibeshe near Ikorodu at about 8:30pm on Friday evening.
According to him, both the boat operator and the passengers broke the law against night travel on waterways.
Emmanuel said the boat, which took off illegally from Èbúté Ẹrọ Jetty, heading toward Ikorodu, ran into an unforeseen object on the waterways, which resulted in the mishap.
He said the Lagos State Government, through the authority, had repeatedly warned boat operators and passengers against night travel on the Lagos Inland waterways.
NAN.
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