One Dead, Scores Injured In Lagos Boat Explosion

Following the boat explosion that occurred at the weekend, one of the missing corpses was on Sunday recovered from the depth of the ocean while scores of passengers were injured.

The South-west spokesman, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye confirmed the incident to Daily Times in a text message.

The boat belonging to Aquitien Oil and Gas, which took off from V-Craft Jetty Lekki Phase 1, exploded at Capital Oil Jetty, Victoria Island, while trying to refill petrol.


Earlier, reports had claimed the deceased, who was identified as Emmanuel Omu, had been rescued and taken to an unidentified hospital on the Island for treatment.

However, his corpse was recovered two days after the explosion, efforts are ongoing to release the corpse to the family members one of who was identified as Sunday Ezugha.Mr. Farinloye, said the corpse was recovered Sunday, although other injured passengers were receiving treatment at different hospitals on Lagos Island.

He said: "A case of boat explosion that occurred, August 15, was just reported to NEMA today (Sunday). Several injured passengers were immediately rescued by volunteers and taken to different hospitals on Lagos Island.

"The boat which was said to belong to Aquitien Oil and Gas, took off from V-Craft Jetty Lekki Phase one and while trying to refill petrol at Capital Oil Jetty at Victoria Island, the engine exploded.
"Sunday Ezugha, a relative of one of the missing passengers, Emmanuel Omu, called and narrated that the owner of the boat Aquitien Oil and Gas could not be reached since the incident occurred.
"Earlier reports indicated that he was rescued and taken to the hospital but we later found out he was dead when his corpse was recovered from the water."