The Nigeria Police Force says it has recovered the bodies of three medical students who drowned in the boat mishap that occurred off the Marina Resort in Calabar at the weekend.

The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah announced this to journalists on Monday, June 26, 2023 in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.

“We have been here day and night and this morning I want to let you know that the three bodies have been recovered.”

“When the bodies were sighted, our Marine Police raced to the scene, and with a joint effort, they were recovered.”

“His Excellency is not sleeping and he is already taking some actions and all the measures in safeguarding lives and properties in this area of the economy is been addressed and you will hear that in no distant time.”

Recall that 14 students, who were in Calabar for the Nigerian Medical Students Games organized by the Nigeria Medical Association of Nigeria, had on Saturday, June 24, 2023, boarded a boat at Marina Beach for a ride in what was tagged ‘The Paradise Experience’.

Unfortunately, things went awry during the sail and the boat capsized, emptying all 14 students into the sea. Eyewitnesses say the boat was overload, short on fuel and leaking.

During the ensuing rescue operation, 11 of the students were saved while three were nowhere to be found.

The State Commissioner of Police, while responding to journalists’ enquiries at the Marina Resort, disclosed that the corpses of the three students – two males and one female – have been found and recovered.

Also recall that the State Governor, Bassey Otu had on Sunday, June 25, 2023 ordered all cruise boat operations and other activities at the Marina Resort to be suspended with immediate effect until further notice.

He mandated the Police to fast-track investigations into the tragedy and swiftly bring those responsible for the incident to book.