Three of the medical students, who were involved in a boat mishap that occurred on Saturday afternoon along the Calabar waterways are still missing.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the students who were in Calabar for the Nigeria Medical Students Games were among 20 persons on board heading to Oron in Akwa Ibom state before the tragic incident occured very close to the Marina resort on Saturday afternoon.
It was gathered that the Navy Command played a vital role in the rescue of at least 14 persons who were victims of the tragedy.
According to a source who was part of the first responders: “The Navy partook in the rescue mission; we rescued 14 of them.
“I can’t give you the exact position of the boat because we only rushed for the rescue mission, but am sure the command will soon release a statement to this effect,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the governor of Cross River State Sen. Bassey Otu, has ordered an investigation into the cruise boat mishap involving 14 medical students at the popular Marina Resort in Calabar, the state capital.
The Governor, who was saddened that three 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 who made the call in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche and made available on Sunday decried the safety standards at the Marina resort, vowing that anyone found guilty to have compromised on safety would be severely sanctioned.
He said ‘” 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.
Gov Otu further expressed his joy that all but one of the rescued students were out of the hospital and was confident that the remaining one will pull through as doctors say he is stable and responding to treatment.