At least 21 people have died after a passenger boat sank in River Nile state in northern Sudan, a medical group has reported.
The boat was traveling between the villages of Tayba al-Khawad and Deim al-Qarai, carrying nearly 30 passengers, including women, elderly people, and children, according to the Sudan Doctors Network.
Rescue teams are continuing with their work since there could be more bodies, said Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan, spokesperson of the network.
Authorities in River Nile state confirmed that 21 bodies had been recovered as of Thursday.
Eyewitnesses stated that the boat capsized due to high waves on Wednesday evening in the Shendi area.
The medical group noted that six people had managed to survive the incident.
In response to the tragedy, the group urged authorities to deploy specialized rescue teams and equipment to expedite search efforts. They also emphasized the need for immediate measures to ensure safety in river transport to prevent such disasters.
Dr. Hassan expressed concern over the weak regulation of river transport, which may have contributed to the incident. He highlighted that many of the boats operating on the Nile are privately owned, with authorities lacking adequate regulatory systems and safety measures.
Authorities did not provide an immediate response to the calls for improved safety regulations.
Incidents involving traditional boats are common in Sudan, particularly since bridges are scarce in rural areas.
The nation has been embroiled in brutal conflict since April 2023, with fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to widespread displacement and a collapse of essential services.
While River Nile State has mostly been spared from frontline fighting, the underlying instability has drained resources and impacted infrastructure throughout the country.
