Five persons have reportedly died after a speed boat
capsized in Calabar, Cross River state.
The accident took place on Saturday while the boat was en
route to Oron in Akwa Ibom state.
According to NAN, 20 persons boarded the boat at Marina
Resort in Calabar.
NAN quoted a senior naval officer as saying the eastern
naval command played a major role in rescuing some of the victims.
The source reportedly said 14 of them were rescued.
“The navy partook in the rescue mission; we at least rescued
14 of them,” he said.
“I can’t give you the exact position of the boat because we
only rushed for the rescue mission, but I’m sure the command will soon release
a statement to this effect.”
Emmanuel Ogbeche, chief press secretary to the state
governor, said three medical students aboard the boat were yet to be found.
He said Bassey Otu, the state governor, has ordered an
investigation into the mishap.
The medical students were said to have travelled to Calabar
for the Nigeria Medical Students Games.
“The news of a cruise boat mishap at the Marina Resort, a
tourist and relaxation destination in Calabar, is saddening and calls for
concern not only as your governor but as a parent,” the statement reads.
“To imagine that the
boat was overcrowded and some of those on it were without life jackets is of
even greater concern, and the more reason why the state government will be
investigating the incident and all those found culpable of having compromised
on safety standards will face the wrath of the law.
“As a government, our administration remains committed to
protecting the sanctity of life and providing an enabling environment for
business, tourism and peaceable living. Therefore, any untoward action that
could derail our objective will not be tolerated.”
On June 13, over 100 passengers returning from a wedding
died after a boat capsized in Egbu village, Patigi LGA of Kwara state.
The victims — including women and children — were said to be
returning to their base in Patigi from Egboti, a community in Niger state.
The boat was said to have been overloaded.
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