At least 32 people have died in Nigeria's northern Niger state after a boat sank in a river, according to an official report. The incident occurred when an overloaded boat carrying about 100 passengers, including women and children, capsized after striking a submerged tree stump on the River Niger in the Borgu area on Tuesday morning. The passengers were en route to a nearby village to pay respects following a recent death in the family.
Abdullahi Baba Ara, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema), reported that over 50 people were rescued from the wreckage, but eight individuals remain missing. Search operations are still underway as efforts continue to locate those unaccounted for.
In response to the tragedy, the government has deployed a team of 'water marshals' to enforce regulations aimed at preventing overloading of boats and ensuring that passengers wear life jackets. Mr. Ara indicated that the absence of marshals at the time of the boat's departure may have contributed to the disaster.
A local district head reported witnessing the rescue efforts soon after the incident, stating, The boat carried more than 100 people. We managed to recover 31 corpses from the river, and the boat has been retrieved. Boat accidents frequently occur in Nigeria, often attributed to excessive overcrowding, inadequate regulations, and poor safety measures.
Just last month, approximately 25 individuals went missing after a similar incident in Sokoto state, and in December 2022, the bodies of 54 victims were recovered from the River Niger following another capsizing. Although the government mandates life jacket usage among water travelers, compliance is frequently lacking.
In a related development, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola established a Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria earlier this year, announcing plans to distribute 42,000 life jackets across 12 riverine states.
Niger state is Nigeria's largest by land area, and many residents utilize water transport as an economical and quick means of travel.
Abdullahi Baba Ara, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema), reported that over 50 people were rescued from the wreckage, but eight individuals remain missing. Search operations are still underway as efforts continue to locate those unaccounted for.
In response to the tragedy, the government has deployed a team of 'water marshals' to enforce regulations aimed at preventing overloading of boats and ensuring that passengers wear life jackets. Mr. Ara indicated that the absence of marshals at the time of the boat's departure may have contributed to the disaster.
A local district head reported witnessing the rescue efforts soon after the incident, stating, The boat carried more than 100 people. We managed to recover 31 corpses from the river, and the boat has been retrieved. Boat accidents frequently occur in Nigeria, often attributed to excessive overcrowding, inadequate regulations, and poor safety measures.
Just last month, approximately 25 individuals went missing after a similar incident in Sokoto state, and in December 2022, the bodies of 54 victims were recovered from the River Niger following another capsizing. Although the government mandates life jacket usage among water travelers, compliance is frequently lacking.
In a related development, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola established a Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria earlier this year, announcing plans to distribute 42,000 life jackets across 12 riverine states.
Niger state is Nigeria's largest by land area, and many residents utilize water transport as an economical and quick means of travel.
