A crowded boat carrying people returning from a wedding capsized in northwestern Nigeria, killing more than 110 people. Others are missing and assumed dead. Rescuers are now searching for bodies, because it seems unlikely that additional survivors will be found.
The boat capsized early yesterday in the darkness of night, on the Niger River in the state of Kwara, Nigeria. A policeman said, “there was a boat that capsized and about 100 people died.” Later, a dozen additional bodies were found.
The victims, mostly women and children, were returning from a wedding in the village of Egboti in neighboring Niger state, said resident Usman Ibrahim.
“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,” he said.
Many of the victims drowned because the accident happened at about 3am and not many knew of it until hours later. “Up till now, some dead bodies are still being searched [for].”
The passengers were from Kpada, Egbu and Gakpan villages in Kwara. At least 60 people came from Kpada alone.
Funerals have already been held for at least 60 who died in the accident. Most of the passengers were not wearing life vests.
Every year, boats sink on the Niger River, killing dozens or hundreds. In May 2021, a boat sank in a nearby stretch of the Niger river. About 160 people died in that accident.
The region where the boat capsized is near where two great rivers merge –the Niger River, one of Africa’s longest rivers (2600 miles), and the Benue River, its longest tributary (900 miles long).
The region where the passengers died is referred to as being in “northern” Nigeria because it is not in the southern coastal region of Nigeria inhabited mostly by Christians, but instead is in a hinterland region further north that is mostly Muslim. But technically, it is as close to Nigeria’s southern end as it is to Nigeria’s northern border.
