The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has revealed the cause of the recent boat mishap in Calabar.

The Passport 19 Pleasure boat carrying 14 final-year medical students capsized in Calabar Waterways on Saturday.

The Incident claimed three lives.

NIWA said investigations revealed that the boat capsized due to overloading, engine malfunction midstream, rainy weather, and heavy turbulence.

NIWA, in a statement by its General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Jibril Darda’u, also informed it has arrested the operators of the boat and sealed the jetty.

The Authority explained that the arrest was imperative as the boat was not duly registered with NIWA, and the jetty was also not approved by NIWA.

The statement by NIWA reads: “We feel very sad to announce that NIWA’s search and rescue team recovered the three missing dead bodies of the medical students that were involved in the boat mishap on Saturday 24^th June 2023 in Calabar Waterways.

“Report from our 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.

“However, 11 persons were rescued by the combined efforts of the Nigerian Navy (NNS Victory), community boat operators, and NIWA rescue team.

“The three missing dead bodies were recovered in the early hours of today (Monday). Two from Ahamadu Bello University Zaria and one from the University of Uyo.”

On the cause of the mishap and the actions taken so far, the Authority stated: “Preliminary investigations revealed that the causes of the incident were overloading; the boat is supposed to carry a maximum of 9 passengers, engine malfunction midstream, 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.”

It added that the 11 survivors were taken to the hospital and are now okay and discharged.

It commiserated with the families, friends, loved ones, and the Medical Students Association for the loss of the three 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 Nation)

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