Three persons believed to be students are feared dead while 11 others were rescued when a cruise boat capsized off the Marina Resort in Calabar, Cross River State.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu has placed restrictions on boat cruise activities at the Marina Resort following the incident which occurred on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in Calabar.

Eyewitnesses say 14 medical students, who were in Calabar for the 2023 Nigeria Medical Students Games, were part of the passengers onboard the ill-fated boat which they said was overloaded and eventually capsized.

Reports say that the medical students were having a leisure time as part of the NMS Games held annually and organised by the Nigeria Medical Association of Nigeria.

Checks by Kristina Reports revealed that what aggravated the casualty rate in the mishap was not only the overloading of the boat with student passengers but there were few life vests onboard.

In a statement on Sunday, June 25, 2023, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche announced that the Governor has placed restrictions on cruise boat activities at the Marina Resort, explaining that this was with a view to ensuring that safety measures were put in place to regulate maritime operations around the Calabar waterways.

“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.”

Otu assured the people of Cross River State that his administration is committed to ensuring the security of lives, enjoining the Police to hasten investigations into the fatal boat mishap and apprehend the culprits to serve as deterrent to others.

“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 statement further disclosed that, in lieu of this, the management team of the State Tourism Bureau has been invited to a meeting with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 by 12noon.

The statement added that the Governor also mandated the State Ministry of Transport to ensure due diligence in checking safety standards and conditions of all boats operating in the Calabar Waterways.

Bassey Otu expressed “profound joy over the medical reports which revealed that the medical students who were hospitalized have fully recovered and discharged save one, which the report said was stable and responding to treatment,” applauding the Nigerian Navy and the villagers for their swift response to the hapless travellers’ plight.