In a harrowing incident on the night of Wednesday, 21st February, 2024, a boat carrying seventeen passengers capsized at PowerLine, Ikoyi Link-bridge.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) promptly deployed its Shark squad to the scene, initiating a comprehensive response to the maritime tragedy.
Upon arrival, the response team discovered that the boat, which had departed from Sandfil en route to Ikorodu, met its unfortunate fate after colliding with a high-tension pole submerged in water. The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) provided crucial information, shedding light on the cause of the accident.
Tragically, two lives were lost in the incident – an adult male and a female. However, the quick response from emergency services ensured the safety of the remaining fifteen passengers, who managed to escape the ordeal unharmed.
In a race against time, the Shark Team, collaborating with LASEMA Response Unit Paramedics, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Waterways Authority, and the Nigeria Police Force, orchestrated a meticulous search and rescue operation. One adult female was successfully recovered, but efforts persist to locate and retrieve the other missing adult male.
The deceased’s body, handled with professionalism by the Shark Team, was handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) for transfer to the morgue.
Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, conveyed the gravity of the situation and the ongoing commitment to the search and rescue mission. As the city mourns the loss of lives, authorities are actively engaged in understanding the circumstances leading to the tragedy and ensuring the safety of waterway transport in the future.