The Search and Rescue Team of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has recovered the 3 missing dead bodies of the medical students that were involved in the boat mishap on Saturday 24th June, 2023 in Calabar Waterways.
According to a press statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of NIWA, Mr Jibril Darda’u, the report from the NIWA Area Manager in Calabar, Engr. Stanley Onouha revealed that the Passport 19 Pleasure boat carrying 14 final year medical students capsized in Calabar Waterways.
The statement further revealed that “11 persons were rescued by the combined efforts of the Nigerian Navy (NNS Victory), community boat operators and NIWA rescue team. The 3 missing dead bodies were recovered at the early hours of today. 2 (Two) from Ahamadu Bello University Zaria and 1 (One) from University of Uyo.”
Thelagostimes gathered that the Final year students were in Calabar for their annual conference.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the cause of the incident was overloading (The boat was supposed to carry a maximum of 9 passengers), engine malfunction midstream, a rainy weather and heavy turbulence that capsized the cruising boat.
“NIWA has since arrested the operators and sealed the Jetty as the boat is not duly registered with NIWA, and the Jetty also not approved by NIWA.
“The 11 survivors were taken to hospital and they are now okay and discharged.
“We commiserate with the families, friends, loved ones and the Medical Students Association for the loss of the 3 students. We pray to God Almighty to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and may the gentle souls of the departed rest in peace”, the statement read.