No fewer than five people have reportedly died in a boat accident in the Ikorodu Area of Lagos State on Tuesday night.

Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency and Management Agency (LASEMA), Adesina Tiamiyu said the 20-capacity boat belonging to Blue Sea was en route Ikorodu from Lagos Island.

“The agency received the distress call at about 5.57 pm and on arrival at the scene, it was observed that a 20-capacity passenger boat belonging to Blue Sea capsized mid-sea en route Ikorodu from Lagos Island.

“The rescue exercise was carried out by the combined efforts of LASEMA, LASWA, LASAMBUS and SEHMU. The number of other rescued victims cannot be ascertained as they were brought to the jetty with other passing boats,” Tiamiyu said

Tiamiyu further disclosed that unfortunately, five persons — four adult females and one adult male were confirmed dead and their bodies have been deposited at the morgue of the Ikorodu General Hospital.

He added that five other persons, comprising  four females and one male were rescued alive while rescue operation was still ongoing to recover other missing occupants of the boat whether dead or alive.