A boat which was carrying farmers across a river to their rice fields in Sokoto state, capsised, and rescue officials are concerned that 16 passengers may have lost their lives in northern Nigeria.
19 people survived the incident, which occurred early on Sunday, while one body has been found. 16 people, including women and children, are still missing.
According to the National Emergency Agency (NEMA), the boat carried 36 people.
“One dead body was removed from the river while 16 persons, including men, women and children, are still missing,” NEMA said on X.
“It is almost a day since the boat accident and it is believed all those yet to be recovered are dead. The focus now is on retrieving the bodies from the river,” NEMA’s Regional Head Aliyu Shehu Kafindangiya told AFP, adding that about 30 divers and fishermen had joined the search.
Nasiru Garba Kalambaina, an adviser to the Sokoto state governor, blamed overloading for the accident, saying the boat had carried far beyond its 15-passenger capacity.
This incident comes a few days after 15 farmers drowned when their boat overturned in the Gamoda River in northern Jigawa state on their way to their farms, according to police.