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At Least 27 Dead and Over 100 Missing After Boat Capsizes in Northern Nigeria

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 30th, 2024.

At Least 27 Dead and Over 100 Missing After Boat Capsizes in Northern Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria — At least 27 people have been confirmed dead and more than 100 others, mostly women, are still missing after a boat capsized in northern Nigeria, authorities reported on Friday. The vessel, carrying about 200 passengers, was en route from Kogi State to Niger State when the tragedy occurred on the River Niger.

Rescue teams recovered 27 bodies by Friday evening, but local divers continued to search the waters for survivors, according to Sandra Musa, spokesperson for Kogi State’s emergency services. Despite extensive efforts, no survivors had been found nearly 12 hours after the incident.

The cause of the boat’s sinking has not been officially determined, but local media reports suggest the vessel may have been overloaded. Overcrowding is a common issue in Nigeria’s remote regions, where poor road infrastructure forces many to rely on unsafe water transport options.

Justin Uwazuruonye, who oversees operations for Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency in the area, mentioned that rescuers faced significant challenges locating the site of the capsizing in the hours following the disaster.

The growing number of fatal boating accidents in Nigeria has raised concerns about safety standards and enforcement. Many of these incidents are linked to overcrowded boats, inadequate maintenance, and a lack of life jackets, often due to their high cost or scarcity. Despite regulations intended to ensure safer travel, authorities have struggled to implement effective safety measures on the country’s waterways.