A catastrophic boating disaster has occurred in northern Nigeria, where more than 100 individuals, including children, have perished after a boat capsized in Nigeria in the River Niger. The incident took place on Monday morning, 12 June, near the border between Kwara and Niger states, according to the Kwara State Police spokesperson, Okasanmi Ajayi.
The victims were returning from an overnight wedding celebration in Egboti, a village in Niger State, when the tragedy struck at approximately 3 a.m., stated local resident Usman Ibrahim. The boat, severely overloaded, was carrying over 100 passengers and their bicycles. “People in the boat were to take their bikes to their various communities [upon disembarking]. The boat was carrying more than 100 people when it sank,” Ibrahim explained.
Due to the early morning hours of the accident, many were unaware of the calamity until several hours later, according to Ibrahim. “Up until now, some dead bodies are still being searched [for],” he reported.
As of now, the number of survivors, if any, remains uncertain.
Search for survivors following the boat capsize in Nigeria
Rescue efforts and the search for bodies continue to be conducted in the River Niger, one of Nigeria’s largest rivers, by local officials and residents following the boat capsize in Nigeria. The retrieval of the victims from the boat capsize in Nigeria has been ongoing since Tuesday afternoon.
Boat mishaps are tragically common in many remote regions of Nigeria, where transportation predominantly relies on locally crafted vessels. Inadequate maintenance and overloading of the boats are frequently cited as contributing factors to such disasters.
This tragic incident highlights the pressing need for improved maritime safety regulations and measures in the region to prevent the recurrence of such devastating loss of lives.
As families and communities mourn the loss of loved ones, calls for enhanced maritime safety standards and protocols are expected to escalate in response to this dreadful incident.
