At least six passengers were confirmed dead Tuesday night after a passenger boat crashed along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun water channel in Lagos State, authorities said, underscoring persistent safety challenges on Nigeria’s busiest inland waterways.
The accident occurred at about 8:35 p.m. and involved a Savvy Marine passenger boat traveling from Ilashe Beach House when it ran into distress, theleaderng reported. Four passengers were pulled alive from the water as emergency teams rushed to the scene.
The Lagos State Waterways Authority and the National Inland Waterways Authority confirmed the fatalities in a joint statement issued Wednesday and signed by Wuraola Alake, head of the public affairs unit at NIWA, and Omowunmi Yussuff, head of the corporate affairs unit at LASWA.
The agencies said search-and-rescue operations were activated immediately after a distress alert was received, with marine police and other first responders joining the effort. The rescued passengers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“Sadly, six other passengers were recovered dead at the scene, while search and rescue operations remain ongoing to account for all persons involved,” the statement said.
Preliminary findings suggest the vessel may have struck a submerged object, though officials stressed that investigations are continuing to establish the precise cause of the crash.
Punchng separately reported that the authorities reiterated their condolences to the families of the victims and pledged a thorough inquiry into the incident. The agencies said further updates would be released as more information becomes available.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the crash has again drawn attention to long-standing safety concerns on Lagos waterways, particularly night travel. LASWA and NIWA restated the need for strict compliance with navigation rules, including adherence to the “no night travel” policy, proper vessel maintenance, passenger manifests, and compulsory use of life jackets.
Officials noted that the accident came just weeks after the two agencies launched a festive-season safety campaign aimed at reducing accidents during peak travel periods, especially in December when water transport surges. The campaign emphasized intensified patrols, joint emergency preparedness, and tougher enforcement against unsafe practices.
Despite repeated warnings, marine safety experts say collisions with submerged objects remain a recurring hazard on Lagos waterways, often linked to poor visibility, speeding, or navigation outside approved hours. Tuesday’s crash adds to growing calls for stronger enforcement, improved channel monitoring, and expanded public awareness to prevent further loss of life on the state’s inland waters.
Authorities urged the public to remain calm and rely only on verified information from LASWA, NIWA and other official sources as rescue and investigative efforts continue.
theleaderng/punchng
