No fewer than two persons died in a boat accident that has also seen the rescue of about fifteen people in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, authorities confirmed on Thursday morning.
This ugly incident was confirmed in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, emergency responders also rescued 15 passengers on board the boat that sunk due to a mechanical fault.
‘The Lion squad of the agency responded to the above incident today 6th of July 2022,’ he said. ‘On arrival, it was discovered that a 20-passenger ferry boat carrying 17 passengers named ‘R & N 2’ had capsized due to a suspected mechanical fault and was rapidly submerged following its departure from the Ipakodo ferry terminal.
Read Also: Planned Lagos BRT Fare Hike: PDP Tackles Sanwo-Olu
‘A combined team of water guards, the search and rescue team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and LASEMA responders were mobilised to the scene of the incident, leading to the rescue of 15 persons alive.’
‘Two adult female passengers were retrieved unconscious and were transferred to the nearest hospital for treatment. They unfortunately never regained consciousness and were later declared dead.’
The LASEMA boss stated that the boat captain is being investigated by the relevant authorities while LASWA has begun a probe into the cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has slammed the Lagos State Government over the proposed increase in the fare for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) across several routes in the state, calling for a reversal of the plan.
In a statement yesterday, the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Hakeem Amode, lambasted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for approving such a hike, saying it would add to the plight of the masses.
Amode said the APC-led government blaming the hike on the pump price of diesel from ₦187 to ₦830 and the unavailability of spare parts for the increase were not justifiable.