Calabar Boat Accident: NIWA Recovers 3 Missing Bodies, Rescue 11, Arrests Operators

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 Mr Jibril Darda’u, General Manager Corporate Affairs of NIWA, 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 Final year students were in Calabar for their annual conference.

In the statement issued on Monday, the authority said “However, 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.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the cause of the incident were overloading (The boat is 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”