13 Dead, Several Missing After Boat Accident In Nigeria

Thirteen People have died, and dozens have gone missing after a boat carrying 100 passengers capsized on Saturday in Niger state in north-central Nigeria as they reached the market, per authorities.

About 26 people, mainly women and children, were saved from the wooden boat, per Yusuf Lemu, an officer of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.

Another local official, Isiyaku Akilu, stated that the boat driver who was saved could not confirm the exact number of people onboard.

The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined; however, it is probably overloading.

Adamu Ahmad, a member of the boat drivers’ union, confirmed that the boat was overloaded.

He also added that it was a large wooden boat and that boat accidents have become frequent in Nigeria.

As efforts are being made to recover the bodies, this incident happened just 9 months after a boat carrying mainly women and children coming from a festival capsized and killed 60.

Rescue missions were briefly paused on Sunday to enable the custodian of the river to perform rituals ensuring a safe and successful rescue mission, said Akilu.

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