Three medical students drown, 11 rescued in Calabar
Three medical students out 14 from different medical schools in Nigeria have drowned when their boat capsized after taking off from Marina Resort jetty in Calabar, Cross River State, on Saturday.
The boat was taking the students to Tinapa tourist site when it capsized, but personnel of the Nigerian Navy responded swiftly and were able to rescue 11 of the students including the driver while three were yet to be found.
The students were in Calabar for the 2023 Nigeria Medical Association Health Week, which is attended by students from all medical schools in Nigeria, an official of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State chapter, said on condition of anonymity.
He said those who died were students of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and University of Uyo.
“The plan was to go to Marina Resort and visit the Slave History Museum, but some of the students decided to go on a boat cruise. The boat capsized when they were about to move to Tinapa.
“There were 14 persons including the driver of the boat on board. Eleven of them came out safely while three of them – two from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and one from University of Uyo – drowned. The navy has been trying to see how they can retrieve their bodies.”
A naval officer on the Nigerian Navy Ship, Victory, said, “The boat capsized due to the high wave on the Calabar channel and the 14 passengers, including the driver were involved.
“Fortunately, the Nigerian Navy patrol teams were nearby so our divers were able to rescue 11.”
