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One dead, 19 rescued in another Lagos boat accident 

Waterways

One person died while 19 others were rescued in another mishap on the Lagos lagoon involving a passenger boat late Monday.

The 20-seater boat was said to have capsised at about 7.30 pm on Monday, December 9, 2019.

According to Danmilola Emmanuel, managing director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the boat was travelling to the Ojo area of the state.

It was said to have encountered strong waves which forced it under the water and emptied the passengers on board into the lagoon.

Read Also: FBRA commits to support LASWA on Lagos waterways clean-up campaign

Local divers were said to have immediately responded and were able to 19 passengers a few minutes after the incident, while one died.

The deceased, according to Emmanuel, was confirmed dead by medical officials.

“The last passenger of the 20 was in critical condition when was he was rescued. And to ensure he is saved, he was rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

“The 19 other passengers were handed over to their families for onward care after they were confirmed stable by the medical officials,” he said.

The Marine Police were to have arrested the captain of the boat for interrogation while investigations into the mishap have commenced.

Boat mishaps leading to the death of passengers are common occurrences on Lagos waterways. On June 29, 2019, a boat carrying 27 passengers capsized at the Ipakan Boat Jetty, Egbin, Ikorodu, leading the dead of at least 12 passengers.