21 feared dead as two unregistered boats collide in Lagos

Lagos police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin

Police in Lagos said on Tuesday that two boats collided at Imore town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.

At least 21 passengers are feared drowned from the accident that occurred on Monday.

In a statement, Lagos police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin said the incident was reported to the Ilashe police division at about 7 pm.

According to him, emergency responders, including marine police and local divers, were swiftly mobilised to the scene and rescued 11 passengers who sustained injuries.

He added that the injured were rushed to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija for medical attention.

The statement read, “On October 7, 2024, at about 7 pm, a distress call was received at the Ilashe Division reporting that two unregistered passenger boats, each carrying 16 passengers, allegedly collided in the middle of the lagoon at Imore town. As a result, the boats capsized, and the passengers drowned along with their goods.

“Based on the report, teams of conventional and marine policemen, local divers, and other emergency responders were swiftly mobilised to the scene, where 11 passengers were rescued with injuries and rushed to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for medical attention.”

Hundeyin said efforts to recover the bodies of the remaining passengers were underway.