Nigeria: The sinking of a boat in Kebbi State leaves at least 10 people dead.
At least ten bodies were recovered from the Niger River in the northern Nigerian state of Kebbi on Wednesday, January 4, after an overloaded boat carrying about 100 passengers broke in two and sank.
The dilapidated vessel was crossing the river and broke in two as it approached the village of Samanaji in Koko-Besse district.
It had taken on board passengers “far beyond its capacity”, said Yahaya Bello Koko, a district official, before adding: “We have found 10 passengers with the help of local divers, and we are still looking for 10 more”.
According to the local official, “they are presumed drowned, considering the number of hours they spent in the river,” he said, adding: “More than 80 passengers have been rescued.
Federal or state authorities were not immediately available.
Accidents involving boats are common in Nigeria. The causes are often linked to overloaded vessels, excessive speed, poor maintenance and failure to comply with navigation rules.
As a reminder, at least 80 people drowned in a shipwreck last October, President Muhammadu Buhari announced. The ship was carrying at least 85 people and was sailing in Anambra State, in the south-east of the country, when rising water caused it to capsize.
