No fewer than eight persons were feared drowned, yesterday, after a commercial boat capsized around Apapa area of Lagos.
The engine boat conveying passengers, majority of whom were traders, was reportedly coming from Sagbokoji Village, when tragedy struck.
Lagos State Police Command said only two persons were suspected to have drowned in the boat mishap, while seven persons were rescued.
Information available to Vanguard revealed that the commercial boat, conveying about 19 passengers, left the village at 7.30a.m., heading towards Lagoon area of Apapa.
Midway into the journey, the boat reportedly developed a fault, but the operators assured the passengers they would fix it.
Apprehension, however, set in when it became apparent that the boat operators could not rectify the problem. Some of the panic stricken passengers, who could swim, reportedly plunged into the river before the boat reportedly capsized at about 8a.m.
Fishermen around the area reportedly rescued some of the passengers.
Eyewitnesses said about nine persons were rescued and conveyed to their destinations.
One of the rescued passengers included a young girl that was said to be carrying dried fish to an unknown destination for sale.
Identities of some of those suspected to have drowned were given as Toume, Fajuwa and Tomiwa.
When contacted, Lagos State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Damasus Ozoani, confirmed the incident, stating that information at his disposal had it that two persons were suspected drowned.
He said rescue operation by operatives of the Marine Police was still on. As at 4.30pm, bodies of some of the victims were yet to be recovered. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Lagos State Ministry of Transport should be held responsible for this. The owners too should be held culpable for not enforcing the law on life jackets to be worn before embarking on water transportation.
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