Three Die, 11 Rescued In Calabar Boat Tragedy; Rep Member Condoles Victims' Families, Calls For Action

By OGBU KOSY 

hree medical students have lost their lives after a speed boat capsized in the Calabar Channel Saturday afternoon. It was gathered that 14 medical students, who were in Calabar for their annual medical week, went to the popular Marina Resort to have fun as part of activities to mark their social week.

The Beagle News confirmed that the students were aboard Oron Beach in Akwa Ibom State, but swayed by high tides as soon as the boat left the Marina Resort jetty.

An eyewitness recounted: “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 anonymity, confirmed the incident.

He added that their men are still in the water, trying to see the possibility of rescuing the remaining three.

He sought for prayers, as hope of rescuing them was growing dimmer by the second.

An official of the Nigeria Medical Association, Cross River State chapter, who also pleaded anonymity, 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 for 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.”

Meanwhile, the Member representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bassey Akiba has, in a release, condoled the University of Calabar Medical Students Association (UCMSA) and families affected by the tragic incident during the Annual Nigerian Medical Students Association (NIMSA) Health Week event, tagged "The Paradise Experience."

 "As we express our condolences to the families of the affected students, we stand in solidarity with the University of Calabar Medical Students Association and the entire medical community. We recognise the measurable loss they have suffered and offer our support during this difficult time," the lawmaker's statement read in parts.

The Odukpani-born politician also commended the Nigerian Navy for the swift response and continuing efforts of Naval officers and other rescue teams involved in the search for missing students, describing the action as a display of "dedication and bravery. He prayed for the rescue team's success in in locating the remaining victims.

Hon. Akiba, however, called for thorough investigation into the incident to prevent similar ugly occurrences in the future. He further called on government authorities to prioritise safety precautions and enforce water transport regulations to prevent overloading and safeguard the well-being of passengers.