Two dead following ferry mishap in Lagos State, Nigeria

Two people are confirmed dead while three others have gone missing after a ferry with 17 passengers and one crewmember on board capsized in Lagos State in Nigeria on Wednesday, July 6.

The ill-fated vessel, identified by the name R & N 2, had just departed the Ipakodo Ferry Terminal in Ikorodu when it capsized less than 200 metres from shore at around 07:45 local time on Wednesday.

Search and rescue personnel of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and other local agencies as well as the crews of some Good Samaritan vessels rushed to the scene and eventually pulled the captain and 14 passengers out of the water. Tragically, two female passengers who were found unconscious were later pronounced dead in hospital.

No trace has yet been found of the three passengers who disappeared following the capsizing.

LASWA general manager Oluwadamilola Emmanuel said that an investigation is underway to identify the events that led to the incident.