Over 100 Missing After Boat Capsizes in Nigeria

Over 100 Missing After Boat Capsizes in Nigeria

In a tragic incident in northwestern Nigeria, over 100 people, primarily women and children, are missing after an overloaded boat capsized. The boat was returning from an Islamic festival when it overturned on Monday night in the Mokwa district of Niger state. Authorities reported that the locally made vessel, designed to carry 100 passengers, was carrying around 300 people when the disaster occurred.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that search efforts are ongoing. So far, 11 bodies—nine men and two women—have been recovered from the Niger River, while at least 150 people have been rescued. Local divers and volunteers are assisting in the search, according to Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the head of Niger state’s emergency services.

Salihu Garba, the director of relief and rehabilitation for the state emergency services, stated, “The boat was not supposed to carry more than 100 persons, but there were almost 300 people on it. That was what caused the boat to break apart.” This incident highlights the frequent boat disasters in Nigeria, particularly in remote communities where poor road conditions leave residents with few transportation options.

This is the fourth major boat tragedy in northern Nigeria since mid-2023, with many victims still unaccounted for. Experts attribute these disasters to regulatory failures, often pointing to issues like overloading and poorly maintained boats as key factors contributing to such accidents. The ongoing search and rescue efforts underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures in local waterways.

Source: Africa News