Overloaded boat capsizes in Nigeria’s Sokoto state, killing dozens including many children

Casualty numbers varied across different accounts of the disaster. Eyewitness said they saw 50 bodies, many already wrapped for burial, at a community mosque.

As Nigeria grapples with another maritime tragedy, local communities mourn the loss of lives.

A routine crossing in northwest Nigeria turned into a mass tragedy when an overloaded boat flipped in Sokoto state, killing at least 50 people—most of them children—according to witnesses. The boat went down near Gorau in Goronyo local government area, and search-and-rescue operations were still under way, Abdulkadir Yusuf, an area manager with the National […]

The witness saw 50 bodies, many wrapped in mats and traditional cloths, lying in the forecourt of a community mosque ahead of their burial in Gorau later on Thursday.

GUSAU, Nigeria (AFP)—At least 51 people have died after a boat sank in northwest Nigeria's Sokoto state Thursday, a local resident told AFP, as authorities said rescue operations were ongoing. Such accidents are common on Nigeria's busy rivers and waterways, often caused by overloaded boats, poor maintenance or failure to comply with safety regulations. Scores of people drown each year. "The situation is bad," said Ibrahim Musa, a former councillor of Gorau village, in Goronyo district, where the accident occurred. "We already buried 46 bodies, and five others have just been brought out of the river." Ilyasu Adamu, a local farmer, said the boat was "obviously overloaded", adding that it had sunk just a minute after starting its journey. "The passengers were heading to the farm on the other side of the river. Most of them were women and children. Some of the girls were to get married soon," he told AFP, giving a toll of at least 48. Dahir Kure, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency in the state, told AFP, said rescue operations were underway. "We are now at the scene of the boat accident and have begun rescue work," Kure said. Kure said he could not immediately give a toll, saying authorities were still "collecting necessary information on the incident". At least five people drowned when a boat capsized in Jigawa state last month. In January, at least 26 people drowned when a boat carrying farmers and fishermen from Jigawa to Yobe state capsized.

A boat capsized Thursday in a river in Nigeria ’s northwestern Sokoto state, leaving at least 47 people dead, officials and residents said. The boat was carrying more…

The incident took place in the country's northwest ​Sokoto state, with many of the victims feared to be children.

At least 50 people, mostly children, died after an overloaded boat capsized on Thursday in Nigeria’s northwest Sokoto state, witnesses said. The accident took place near Gorau in Goronyo local government area and rescue efforts are continuing, said Abdulkadir Yusuf, an area manager at the National Inland Waterways Authority. A Reuters witness saw 50 bodies, […]

At least 50 people, mostly children, died after an overloaded boat capsized in Nigeria's northwest Sokoto ⁠state, witnesses said.

At least 50 people — many of them reportedly children — have died in a boat accident in northwestern Nigeria.

A boat has capsized in a river in Nigeria's northwestern Sokoto state, leaving at least 40 people dead, authorities say.

A boat has capsized in a river in Nigeria's northwestern Sokoto state, leaving at least 40 people dead, authorities say.

A boat has capsized in a river in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto state, leaving more than 40 people dead