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JUST IN: 27 feared dead as boat capsizes in Lagos

Published

5 years ago

June 30, 2019

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 . 38 pm 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 . ”