Pandemonium broke out on Monday, at Baracuda Beach, Abraham Adesanya, Ajah area of Lagos State when two yet-to-be-identified fun seekers drowned while trying to rescue another person from being swept away by the high current.
The victims were part of fun seekers and beachgoers who thronged the beach for the Boxing Day Celebration in Lagos, after Christmas Day the previous day.
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the sad incident.
He said: “The Agency responded to distress calls concerning an incident at the above location, (Baracuda Beach, Abraham Adesanya, Ajah). On arrival at the scene of the incident, it was reported that two beachgoers had drowned.
“Further investigation gathered revealed that two adult males died during a failed rescue attempt of a third adult male. The lifeguard stationed at the beach reported that the victims had ventured beyond the red line. Solo rescue is prohibited beyond these limits; which is why he was unable to attempt it.
“The lifeguard stationed at the beach reported that the victims had ventured beyond the red line. Solo rescue is prohibited beyond these limits; which is why he was unable to attempt it. However, the agency’s LRT and Paramedics are on the ground. Search and recovery operation ongoing.”
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Barracuda Beach and Resorts is a private beach and resort with an exclusive waterfront located at Okun Ajah Road, Okun-Mapo Village, Ajah, Lekki, Lagos.
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide (26 December). Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor, today Boxing Day forms part of Christmas celebrations, with many people choosing to take advantage of Boxing Day sales.
It originated in Great Britain and is celebrated in a number of countries that previously formed part of the British Empire. The attached bank holiday or public holiday may take place on 28 December if necessary to ensure it falls on a weekday. Boxing Day is also concurrent with the Christian festival Saint Stephen’s Day.
In parts of Europe, such as several regions of Spain, the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, and Ireland, 26 December is Saint Stephen’s Day, which is considered the second day of Christmas.