Boat Carrying 14 Medical Students Capsize In Calabar

Three medical students are currently missing after a speedboat carrying them and 11 other students on a cruise, capsized at a resort in Calabar, Cross River state on Saturday.

The medical students under the aegis of the Nigeria Medical Students Association (NIMSA) came from universities across the country to attend the NiMSA annual Health Week in Calabar. In a bid to explore the city, the students were said to have headed to the Marina Resort for a boat cruise.

Sadly, the boat capsized during the cruise. While eleven students have been rescued, three are currently missing.

This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, who said the state governor, Bassey Otu, has ordered an investigation into the boat mishap which occurred at the popular Marina Resort in Calabar, the state capital.

‘The governor expressed sadness that three of the medical students, who were in Calabar for the Nigeria Medical Students Games, had yet to be found. The governor charged security and rescue agencies as well as local villagers involved in the operations to find the missing students and reunite them with their families.

“The governor, who is saddened that 3 of the medical students, who are in Calabar for the Nigeria Medical Students Games, are yet to be found, charged security and rescue agencies as well as local villagers involved in the operations to find the missing students and reunite them with their families.

Otu decried the safety standards at the resort, vowing that anyone found guilty to have compromised on safety would be severely sanctioned.

“The news of a cruise boat mishap at the Marina Resort, a tourist and relaxation destination in Calabar, is saddening and calls for concern not only as your governor but as a parent.

“To imagine that the boat was overcrowded and some of those on it were without life jackets is of even greater concern and the more reason why the state government will be investigating the incident and all those found culpable of having compromised on safety standards will face the wrath of the law.

“As a government, our administration remains committed to protecting the sanctity of life and providing an enabling environment for business, tourism and peaceable living. Therefore, any untoward action that could derail our objective will not be tolerated,” the governor stated.

Meanwhile, one of the rescued students was out of the hospital and was confident that the remaining one will pull through as doctors say he is stable and responding to treatment.

However, the Governor Orders Investigation Into Cruise Boat Accident, Commends Navy, Villagers For Prompt Response.