At least six passengers have d!ed and four others rescued following a boat accident along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun Water Channel in Lagos
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the incident in a joint statement on Wednesday, signed by Wuraola Alake of LASWA and Omowunmi Yussuff of NIWA. The accident involved a savvy marine passenger boat and occurred on Tuesday around 8:35 p.m. while the vessel was en route from Ilashe Beach House.
According to the authorities, rescue operations were immediately activated following a distress alert. Teams from LASWA, NIWA, the Marine Police, and other first responders worked together to rescue four passengers, who were transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Sadly, six passengers were found dead at the scene. Search and rescue operations are ongoing to account for all individuals involved.
Preliminary findings suggest the accident may have been caused by a collision with a submerged object, though investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact cause.
“LASWA and NIWA wish to assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and remain committed to ensuring safety on Lagos’ inland waterways,” the statement read.
The authorities also reminded the public to adhere strictly to safety regulations, including proper navigation practices, compliance with night travel rules, and reliance on verified information from official sources.
In December, LASWA and NIWA launched a festive-season safety campaign to protect travellers during periods of high water traffic. The campaign emphasises life jacket use, passenger manifest maintenance, avoiding night trips, routine vessel checks, joint search and rescue operations, and intensified patrols to deter unsafe practices and improve surveillance across key waterways.
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