In brief
At least 27 fatalities have been reported after a boat capsized while ferrying about 200 passengers, predominantly women, to a food market, with more than 100 individuals still unaccounted for.
ABUJA, Nigeria — A tragic accident occurred on Friday when a boat carrying approximately 200 passengers to a food market capsized in the River Niger, leading to the deaths of at least 27 individuals and leaving over 100, mostly women, missing, according to local authorities.The vessel had departed from Kogi State and was headed toward neighboring Niger State when it overturned, as confirmed by Ibrahim Audu, spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency. Following the incident, rescuers retrieved 27 bodies from the river by Friday evening, and divers continued their desperate search for survivors, reported Sandra Musa from Kogi state emergency services.While the authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the boat’s capsizing, local media speculates that overloading may have played a role. In many remote areas of Nigeria, overcrowded boats are a common sight, as poor road infrastructure limits transportation alternatives.Historically, many deadly boating accidents in Nigeria have been linked to overcrowding and poorly maintained vessels, which are often locally constructed to maximize passenger capacity, disregarding safety protocols. Furthermore, the enforcement of life jacket regulations is severely lacking due to both availability issues and financial constraints.Justin Uwazuruonye, who oversees operations for Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency in the state, indicated that rescuers faced challenges locating the capsized vessel for several hours following the incident. Such boat accidents are becoming a growing concern in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, highlighting the urgent need for strengthened safety regulations and enforcement within the water transport sector.
