Three medical students lost their lives after their boat cruise idea went horribly wrong in the Calabar Channel on Saturday afternoon.
Medical students from across Nigerian institutions were in Calabar for their annual medical week when 14 of them decided to visit the popular Marina Resort to have fun on their social day.
Findings confirmed that they boarded the speed boat for Oron Beach in Akwa Ibom State, but high waves were said to have tossed the boat as soon as they left the Marina Resort jetty.
According to an eyewitness, the boat capsized due to high waves on the Calabar Channel, emptying the students and the pilot of the boat into the water.
Their life jackets were their saving grace, but the currents and waves were strong and were dragging them into the direction of the sea.
It was reported that the life jacket of one of the three missing students was not good, while the wave reportedly strip another one of his jacket.
“But the fortunate thing is that the Nigerian Navy patrol teams were nearby. So their divers were able to save 11.”
Three of the students could not be found.
An official of the Nigeria Medical Association, Cross River State chapter, who also asked not to be mentioned in an interview, expressed opinion that the three might have died.
“The 2023 Nigeria Medical Association Health Week and the Medical School in Calabar are hosting this year’s health week.
“Students across Medical schools in Nigeria came to Calabar just to have their annual health week.
“So in the course of doing their social activities, the plan was for them to go to Marina Resort and visit the Slave History Museum.
“Few of the students decided to go on a boat cruise and it happened that when they were coming from the boat cruise to move to Tinapa for their normal social ride, the boat capsized.
“There were 14 occupants, including the driver of the boat, eleven of them came out safely, while three of them are still missing.
“Two are from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and one from the University of Uyo.
“The navy has been trying to see how they can retrieve their bodies because they cannot find them.
“They are saying we should come tomorrow and get their floating bodies; that is what is on ground for now.”
See the dramatic moment the navy team arrived to save the survivors below.
These guys went for a boat cruise today at marina resort Calabar and their boat capsized. Thanks to the Nigerian Navy for their swift intervention. I hear they’re final year medical students and about 3 of them are still missing.
Anything that concerns boat cruise, count me out! pic.twitter.com/zW22wFmO8X
— Pharaoh👳🏾♂️👑 (@MrMekzy_) June 24, 2023
