Five persons were feared dead on Saturday after a speed boat capsized in Calabar waterways.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the boat capsized on its way to Oron in Akwa Ibom.
A senior naval officer attached to the Eastern Naval Command, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident and said that the command played a major role in rescuing some of the victims.
The Navy partook in the rescue mission; we at least rescued 14 of them.
“I can’t give you the exact position of the boat because we only rushed for the rescue mission, but I’m sure the command will soon release a statement to this effect,” he stated.
NAN gathered that 20 persons boarded the boat at Marina in Calabar.
It, however, capsized minuets after sailing from Calabar Marina yard.
An eyewitness said, “The boat capsized due to high waves on the Calabar Channel and the 14 passengers, including the driver, drowned.
“But the fortunate thing is that the Nigerian Navy patrol teams were nearby. So their divers were able to save 11.”
A source from the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, who pleaded not to be named, confirmed the incident.
He added that their men are still in the water, trying to see the possibility of rescuing the remaining three.
He asked for prayers, as hope of finding them was dimming by the minute.
An official of the Nigeria Medical Association, Cross River State chapter, who also asked not to be mentioned in an interview, confirmed that the three might have died.
“The 2023 Nigeria Medical Association Health Week and the Medical School in Calabar are hosting this year’s health week.
“Students across Medical schools in Nigeria came to Calabar just to have their annual health week.
“So in the course of doing their social activities, the plan was for them to go to Marina Resort and visit the Slave History Museum.
“Few of the students decided to go on a boat cruise and it happened that when they were coming from the boat cruise to move to Tinapa for their normal social ride, the boat capsized.
“There were 14 occupants, including the driver of the boat, eleven of them came out safely, while three of them are still missing.
“Two are from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and one from the University of Uyo.
“The navy has been trying to see how they can retrieve their bodies because they cannot find them.
“They are saying we should come tomorrow and get their floating bodies; that is what is on ground for now.”
