At least 26 people died in Nigeria on Sunday when a boat sank in a river in western Niger state, emergency services said.
The boat capsized in the Niger River, in Mokwa territory, and the victims were heading to a farm located on the other bank.
“So far 26 bodies have been recovered and more than 30 [pessoas] were rescued as the rescue operation continues,” Ibrahim Husseini, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Agency (NSEMA), said in a statement.
“More than 100 people were on the boat when the incident occurred,” he added.
NSEMA Director General Garba Salihu said the accident occurred at around 7:30 a.m. in Gbajibo community, between the Jabba and Kainji dams.
Niger State Governor Umaro Bago lamented the “shocking and painful” tragedy and sent support to the affected communities.
In June, more than 100 people died in another shipwreck on the same river.
Ship accidents, often caused by overloaded vessels and poor shipping regulation, are common in Nigeria.
Source: TSF
