THREE FRIENDS DROWNED IN LAGOS BEACH ON MONDAY. (PHOTO).

Three friends drown in Lagos beach

Three men on Monday night drowned at Baracuda Beach in Ajah, Lagos.

The men were said to have drowned after crossing to the deep part.

It was gathered that one of the three men was first swept away by the currents while swimming.

Two of his friends dived in to rescue him after a lifeguard on duty refused to go into that section of the beach.

He claimed it was beyond the red line and unsafe for them to attempt a rescue.

The two friends also got swept away by ocean tides.

Permanent Secretary (PS), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said rescuers and paramedics were immediately deployed to the beach upon receipt of the report.

“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,” he said.

Meanwhile, it was a festival of fire for emergency workers during the long weekend as several cases of outbreaks were recorded across the state.

It was gathered that the Lagos State Fire Service attended to a record 24 cases on Christmas Day and 12 on Monday.

Among the incidents attended to was an outbreak at a residential building at 54 Aledelola Street, Ikosi Ketu, said to have been caused by fuel stored in kegs.

A statement on Tuesday by the agency’s director, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said the fire was reported around 6:18 pm on Monday.