At Least 32 Dead in Nigeria Boat Tragedy, Dozens Rescued

At Least 32 Dead in Nigeria Boat Tragedy, Dozens Rescued
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At least 32 people have died after an overloaded boat capsized on the River Niger in northern Nigeria’s Niger State, BBC reported on Thursday. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning in the Borgu area when the vessel, carrying approximately 100 passengers, struck a submerged tree stump and overturned.

According to Abdullahi Baba Ara, spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), more than 50 individuals were rescued, while eight others remain missing. The passengers were reportedly traveling to a nearby village to offer condolences to a bereaved family. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.

Officials said a team of “water marshals” had been established to enforce safety regulations, such as life jacket use and capacity limits, but it is unclear if any were on duty at the time. Boat accidents are frequent in Nigeria, often due to overloading and weak enforcement of safety measures.

The government has recently launched campaigns, including “No Life Jacket, No Travel,” to address the issue. This tragedy follows a similar accident in Sokoto State last month and several other fatal incidents in recent years, highlighting the persistent dangers of water travel in the region.