At least 60 people have died after a boat capsized in north-central Nigeria. The vessel carried more than 100 passengers when it overturned in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Officials said the Accident happened on Tuesday morning as the boat left Tungan Sule in Malale district. It was headed for Dugga town on a condolence visit. Around 11 a.m. local time, the vessel struck a submerged tree stump near Gausawa community, causing it to capsize.
Abdullahi Baba Ara, head of Borgu Local Government Area, confirmed the rising death toll. He said 10 survivors are in serious condition while many others remain missing.
Local leaders said women and children were among the victims. Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi, said he helped recover bodies from the river. “The boat carried more than 100 people. We found 31 corpses,” he told Reuters. Four victims were buried the same day under Islamic rites.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency reported 29 confirmed deaths and 50 rescues on Wednesday. Search and recovery efforts continue with the help of local divers and emergency workers.
Boat accidents are common in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season when rivers rise. Officials blame overloading, poor maintenance, and weak enforcement of safety standards. Authorities confirmed that the ill-fated vessel was overloaded at the time of the Accident.
The tragedy has sparked new calls for tougher safety measures on Nigeria’s waterways. Officials said they are working to review safety rules to prevent future disasters.
Families in Niger State are mourning loved ones as rescue operations continue. For many communities, the loss highlights the urgent need to improve passenger safety on rivers and lakes.
In other related news also read Niger Suspends BBC Operations Amid Accusations of False Reporting
