A commercial engine boat conveying about 19 passengers capsized yesterday and eight people were said to have been drowned in the mishap in Apapa, Lagos.
Lagos State Police Command confirmed the report but said only two people are feared drowned while seven people were saved.
Lagos State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Damasus Ozoani, who confirmed the incident, stated reports with police stated that only two persons were feared drowned.
He said that rescue operation by operatives of the Marine Police was still on and bodies of some of the victims have yet to found.
The passengers, who were mostly traders, were supposedly returning from Sagbokoji Village when their boat capsized.
It was also learnt that developed a technical fault in the course of the voyage while the operators, who declined calling for help, assured of fixing it.
It was also gathered the commercial boat left the jetty at for Lagoon area of Apapa carrying about 19 passengers, at 7.30a.m and the tragedy struck at about 8a.m.
Eyewitnesses noted about nine persons were rescued and conveyed to their destinations after some panic-stricken passengers, who could swim, plunged into the river before the boat.
Fishermen around the area reportedly rescued some of the passengers.
Eyewitnesses noted about nine persons were rescued and conveyed to their destinations after some panic-stricken passengers, who could swim, plunged into the river before the boat.
Fishermen around the area reportedly rescued some of the passengers.