At least 46 people have died after a boat carrying more than 70 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s north-western Sokoto State.
The vessel overturned near Gorau in Goronyo, with many of those on board believed to have been children travelling alongside farm owners and labourers heading to work during the rice harvest.
Police spokesperson Ahmad Rufai said 46 bodies had been recovered, while 16 people were rescued alive and at least 15 remained missing as search efforts continued.
The remote location has complicated rescue operations, with emergency services and security agencies travelling to the area to assist.
A witness cited by Reuters said around 50 bodies, many wrapped in mats and traditional cloth, had been laid outside a local mosque ahead of burial.
Boat accidents are common across Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where rivers are an important form of transport and road infrastructure is often poor.
Overcrowding, poorly maintained vessels, a shortage of life jackets and weak enforcement of safety regulations are frequently blamed for deadly accidents.
In January, at least 26 people drowned after a boat carrying farmers and fishermen between Jigawa and Yobe states capsized.
In December 2024, 54 bodies were recovered from the River Niger after a vessel believed to have been carrying more than 200 passengers overturned.
Authorities have repeatedly called for improved safety measures, including stronger enforcement of passenger limits, wider use of life jackets, better-trained and licensed operators, dredging of waterways and the deployment of safety personnel at jetties.
However, implementation remains inconsistent, particularly in remote communities where wooden boats continue to serve as a vital means of transporting people, food and other goods.
