Six Feared Dead as Passenger Boat Crashes on Lagos Waterway, Four Rescued

Six Feared Dead as Passenger Boat Crashes on Lagos Waterway, Four Rescued

No fewer than six passengers have been confirmed dead, while four others were rescued, following a boat accident on the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun Water Channel in Lagos State on Tuesday night.

The tragic incident was confirmed in a joint statement issued on Wednesday by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

According to the statement, signed by LASWA Head of Public Affairs, Wuraola Alake, and NIWA Lagos Area Office Head of Corporate Affairs, Omowunmi Yussuff, the accident occurred at about 8:35 p.m. and involved a Savvy Marine passenger boat travelling from Ilashe Beach House.

The agencies said the boat ran into difficulty while navigating the channel, prompting an immediate distress alert that led to the deployment of emergency response teams, working in collaboration with the Marine Police and other first responders.

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“As of the time of this report, four passengers have been successfully rescued and taken to a nearby hospital, where they are receiving medical attention. Sadly, six other passengers were recovered dead at the scene. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to account for all persons on board,” the statement said.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the vessel may have collided with a submerged object, although authorities noted that a comprehensive investigation is underway to establish the exact cause of the accident.

LASWA and NIWA expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring safety on Lagos inland waterways.

The agencies also urged waterway users to strictly adhere to safety regulations, including proper navigation procedures and compliance with the night travel rule, while advising members of the public to rely only on verified information from official sources.

Six Feared Dead as Passenger Boat Crashes on Lagos Waterway, Four Rescued