NEMA South South Emergency Response Team led by Fortunatus Anyanwu (ACSARO) today carried out an on-the-spot assessment of a boat mishap which occurred on 24:06:2023 at Marina Resort in Calabar. According to Mr. Egom Egba Clement, President of the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA) 233 members of the Association were on excursion to the Slave History Museum, Calabar as part of their 2023 NiMSA Annual Health Week and decided to have a boat cruise at the Resort. Mrs. Omayoni Joy Ufuamaka, Curator of the Museum who confirmed the incident informed the NEMA team that fifteen (15) of the students boarded the boat as at the time of the cruise. The prompt response of Marine personnel saved the lives of 12 of the students while 3 lost their lives; 2 male students from ABU and 1female student from Uniyo. Their bodies are yet to be recovered. The rescued students were taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and have been rescusitated and discharged.
Preliminary findings revealed that there was no safety measures put in place at the resort. Cause of incident was the overloading of the boat and improper use of life vest.
Stakeholders involved in the assessment were NRC, Nigeria Police Force led by the Cross River State Police Commissioner Gyogon Grimah, O/C Marine Lt. Col I Ahmed of the Nigerian Army and Dr. Epoke of UCTH.
The team lead expressed the condolences of the Director General of NEMA to the families and institutions of the students who lost their loved ones.
25:06:2023.
