At least 60 people have died and dozens more are missing after a boat carrying over 100 passengers capsized in Niger State, north-central Nigeria.
The vessel left Tungan Sule in Malale district around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, heading to Dugga town on the Kainji reservoir.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the accident happened near Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area after the boat struck a submerged tree stump. Officials said overloading also contributed to the tragedy.
Many of the passengers were women and children traveling to Dugga for a condolence visit.
Abdullahi Baba Ara, NSEMA’s Director General, confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll had risen to 60, with rescue operations still ongoing. “Ten people are in serious condition, and many others remain unaccounted for,” he said.
Local leader Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, who was at the scene, said the boat was carrying more than 100 people.
He confirmed that 31 bodies had been recovered, most of them women and children, and that four victims had already been buried according to Islamic rites.
Boat accidents are common in Nigeria’s riverine communities, especially during the rainy season from March to October. Causes often include overloading, poor safety standards, and poorly maintained vessels.
Just last month, more than 40 people were declared missing after another overloaded boat capsized in Sokoto State.
