Six Feared Dead, Four Rescued After Boat Mishap in Lagos

At least six passengers have reportedly lost their lives, while four others were rescued following a boat mishap along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun water channel in Lagos State.

The incident occurred around 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday, involving a passenger boat operated by Savvy Marine, which was travelling from Ilashe Beach House at the time.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate any remaining passengers. The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the accident in a joint statement signed by NIWA’s Head of Public Affairs, Wuraola Alake, and LASWA’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Omowunmi Yussuff.

The statement noted that emergency teams were immediately deployed following a distress call, working alongside the Marine Police and other first responders.

“Four passengers were rescued alive and rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Unfortunately, six other passengers were recovered dead at the scene. Search and rescue operations are ongoing to account for all individuals involved,” the agencies said.

Preliminary reports indicate that the boat may have collided with a submerged object, though authorities emphasized that a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.

LASWA and NIWA expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and reiterated their commitment to safety on Lagos inland waterways. The agencies also urged waterway users to strictly follow safety guidelines, including proper navigation procedures and adherence to the “no night travel” policy. The public was advised to rely only on verified information from official sources as investigations continue.