Nigeria: Boat capsizes in river Niger, 100 feared dead
The incident happened on the river Niger in central Nigeria early on Monday.
As many 100 people are believed to have been killed in an accident on the river Niger after the boat capsized early on Monday morning.
Eyewitnesses told Al Jazeera the boat was carrying wedding guests who were returning to Kwara State from a ceremony in nearby Niger State, both in central Nigeria.
Local daily Nigerian Tribune reported that the passengers were from Kpada, Egbu and Gakpan villages in Kwara and that the wedding had held in Egboti village in Niger State.
Al Jazeera correspondent Ahmed Idris reporting from Abuja said the boat hit something in the water and then capsized.
“What we know so far is that most of them were not wearing any protective gear like life vest”, he said. “Funerals have been held for at least 60 people who were killed in the accident.”
According to Idris, search and rescue operations have been ongoing since Monday.
Police are yet to confirm how many people have died or how many were on board the boat, which was reportedly overloaded.
There have been similar mishaps in the past in the area which is close to the confluence between the rivers Niger and Benue, two of Africa’s longest.
In May 2021, a boat sank on the Niger around the same area, according to another local daily The Guardian. As many as 160 people died in that accident.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA