Key facts
- An overloaded boat carrying farm owners and laborers capsized in Nigeria's Sokoto state.
- Approximately 40 children's bodies have been recovered.
- The total death toll has reached 43, with 16 people rescued.
- Residents provided varying estimates of the number of passengers onboard, ranging from 57 to over 70.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing, with community divers involved.
An overloaded boat carrying farm owners and laborers capsized in Nigeria's northwest Sokoto state on Thursday morning, resulting in the recovery of approximately 40 bodies, primarily of children. The vessel was reportedly heading to plant or harvest rice.
Abdulkadir Yusuf, an area manager for the National Inland Waterways Authority, confirmed the recovery of around 40 children's bodies. Lawmaker Nasiru Adamu stated the death toll had reached 43, with 16 individuals rescued. Residents provided varying accounts of the number of people on board, with one suggesting over 70 and another estimating 57.
Rescue efforts, including the involvement of community divers, are continuing. Mustapha Umar, director of relief and rehabilitation at the state's emergency management agency, indicated that officials were en route to the scene to gather more information.
Deadly boat accidents are a recurring issue in Nigeria, often attributed to overcrowding, poor vessel maintenance, and lax enforcement of safety regulations on the country's rivers and waterways. Previous incidents include a capsizing in Yobe state in January that killed at least 25 people, and another in November 2024 where over 100 were reported missing.