At least 60 people have died after an overloaded boat carrying more than 100 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s northern Niger state, local officials and emergency services confirmed on Wednesday.

The tragic accident occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday on the Malale River, near the Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area. The vessel, which had departed from Tungan Sule in the Malale region, struck a submerged tree trunk before overturning.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency initially confirmed 29 deaths and said more than 50 passengers had been rescued, with search and recovery operations still underway. However, officials later reported that the death toll had risen sharply.

Borgu regional governor Abdullahi Baba Ara told Reuters that “the death toll has risen to 60, with 10 people in critical condition and many still missing.” He added that he personally visited the site of the accident: “I was at the scene from noon until 4 p.m. yesterday. There were more than 100 people on the boat. We pulled 31 bodies from the river. The boat was also pulled out and removed.”

Many of the victims are believed to be women and children. Local authorities fear that the toll could climb further as rescue teams continue to comb the river for survivors and bodies.

Boat accidents are tragically common in Nigeria, often caused by overloading, poor enforcement of safety regulations, and inadequate emergency response measures. Last month, about 25 people went missing following a similar incident in Sokoto state. In December 2024, at least 54 bodies were recovered from the Niger River after a vessel carrying around 200 passengers capsized.

The latest tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for stricter safety measures and better regulation of water transport in the country. (ILKHA)