At least 27 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 100 others are missing after a boat capsized on the River Niger in northern Nigeria on Friday. Most of the passengers, primarily women, were traveling to a food market when the tragedy occurred.
The boat, which was carrying approximately 200 people, sank while en route from Kogi state to Niger state. By Friday evening, rescue teams had recovered 27 bodies, but no survivors had been found, even 12 hours after the accident. Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the disaster, though overcrowding is suspected, as overloaded boats are common in remote areas where road infrastructure is inadequate.
Rescue operations faced significant challenges, with teams struggling to locate the site of the capsizing. Justin Uwazuruonye from Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency highlighted the difficulties in coordinating the search effort.
Water transportation accidents are a recurring problem in Nigeria, often attributed to overcrowding, poorly maintained boats, and a lack of life jackets. Despite efforts to improve safety, enforcement remains limited due to the high costs and scarcity of necessary resources. This latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures in the country’s water transport systems.