TWO persons were on Monday confirmed dead while another was declared missing after a fishing boat carrying seven passengers capsized in Ikorodu area of Lagos.
The accident was said to have occurred around 7pm at Offin Ibeshe as a result of high water current.
According to the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the boat, which left Makoko community, had seven persons on board including two toddlers.
LASWA’s General Manager, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said all passengers were not wearing life jackets when the accident occurred.
He said: “The first responder to the incident was a passenger ferry that witnessed it before the arrival of LASWA rescue team.
”Inquiries reveal that the fishing boat, which was clearly operating outside its fishing capability and therefore not equipped with necessary safety gadgets for passengers ferry operation, carried the occupants who are all related and headed to Offin for a relative’s funeral.
”Upon further investigations it was revealed that all seven passengers onboard were not wearing a lifejacket. Four passengers were rescued alive two fatalities and one passenger missing.
”The men of the LASEMA and Marine Police have been contacted to support the ongoing search operation for the remaining victim while further investigation is ongoing.”
