By HeapNews
Six passengers were confirmed dead and four others rescued after a passenger boat operated by Savvy Marine was involved in an accident on Lagos waterways late on Tuesday, Nigeria’s waterways authorities said.
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) said the incident occurred around 8:35 p.m. along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun water channel. The boat was travelling from Ilashe Beach House when it ran into trouble.
Search and rescue teams were immediately deployed after a distress alert was received, with LASWA and NIWA working alongside the Marine Police and other first responders, the authorities said in a joint statement.
“Four passengers have been successfully rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, while six others were recovered dead at the scene,” the statement said, adding that rescue operations were still ongoing to account for all passengers.
Preliminary findings suggest the boat may have collided with a submerged object, though investigations are continuing to determine the exact cause of the accident, the authorities said.
LASWA and NIWA expressed condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated their commitment to improving safety on Lagos inland waterways. They also warned operators and passengers to comply strictly with safety regulations, including the prohibition of night travel.
The authorities urged members of the public to remain calm and rely only on verified information from official sources as investigations continue.