At least 60 dead after boat sinks in Nigeria, officials say

At Least 60 Dead After Boat Capsizes in Niger State, Nigeria

Officials in Niger State have confirmed that at least 60 people have died after a passenger boat carrying more than 100 people capsized on the Kainji reservoir in north-central Nigeria.

The vessel left the town of Tungan Sule in Malale district around 11am local time on Tuesday and was en route to Dugga when it struck a submerged tree stump near Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area.

According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the tragedy was caused by overloading and collision with the tree stump. The passengers, which included many women and children, were reportedly traveling for a condolence visit.

“The death toll of the boat incident has risen to 60,” said Abdullahi Baba Ara, NSEMA’s director general, while confirming that search and rescue operations are ongoing. Ten survivors remain in critical condition, and several others are still missing.

Local leader Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi, who arrived at the scene shortly after the accident, said the boat had been carrying “more than 100 people.” He noted that 31 bodies were initially recovered, and burials have begun according to Islamic rites.

Boat accidents are common in Nigeria’s riverine communities, particularly during the rainy season from March to October, when rivers often overflow. Factors such as overcrowding, weak enforcement of safety measures, and poorly maintained vessels contribute to frequent tragedies.

Just last month, more than 40 people went missing after another overloaded boat capsized in Sokoto State in northwestern Nigeria.

Source: Aljazeera News.