At least 50 people, mostly children, died after an overloaded boat capsized on Thursday in Nigeria’s northwest Sokoto state, witnesses said.
The accident took place near Gorau in Goronyo local government area and rescue efforts are continuing, said Abdulkadir Yusuf, an area manager at the National Inland Waterways Authority.
The accident occurred on Thursday morning when passengers were heading either to plant or to harvest rice, said Sarkin Daji, a traditional leader in the area.
“Our local divers recovered the bodies, and the search is still ongoing,” local resident Nasiru Gorau said.
Deadly boat accidents are common in Nigeria, where vessels often operate unsafely.
In January, at least 25 people died when a leaking boat capsized in Yobe state, northeast Nigeria.
–Reuters–
