At least 60 people have died after a boat carrying more than 100 passengers capsized in north-central Nigeria, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The tragedy occurred in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State when the vessel struck a submerged tree stump while heading for a condolence visit.
The boat departed from Tungan Sule in Malale district on Tuesday morning, bound for the town of Dugga. Around 11 a.m. local time (1000 GMT), it collided with a tree stump near Gausawa community, causing it to overturn in the river.
Abdullahi Baba Ara, chair of Borgu Local Government Area, told reporters the death toll was rising. “The death toll of the boat incident has risen to 60. Ten people have been found in serious condition, and many are still being sought,” he said.
Women and children among victims
Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi, said he witnessed the aftermath of the disaster. “The boat carried more than 100 people. We were able to recover 31 corpses from the river,” he told Reuters. He added that four victims were buried on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic rites, noting that women and children made up most of the deceased.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed 29 deaths and 50 rescues as of Wednesday, adding that two people were still missing. Local divers and emergency workers remain at the scene, continuing search and recovery operations.
Frequent boat accidents in Nigeria
Boat accidents are common in Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season when rivers swell. Safety lapses, vessel overloading, and poor maintenance contribute to repeated tragedies on the country’s waterways.
Authorities said the ill-fated boat was overloaded at the time of the accident, a recurring problem despite repeated warnings and regulations.
Calls for stronger safety measures
The latest disaster has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety standards on Nigeria’s inland waterways. Officials say efforts are underway to review safety protocols to prevent similar accidents.
For now, families in Niger State are mourning dozens of lives lost, as rescue teams continue to search for those still unaccounted for.
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