Tragedy struck a river in northwestern Nigeria on Sunday when a boat transporting passengers to a local market overturned, leaving at least 40 people unaccounted for, according to emergency officials.
The incident occurred in the Goronyo area of Sokoto state. As of late Sunday, rescue teams had managed to save ten people, with search operations continuing for the missing.
This latest accident adds to a troubling pattern of fatal boat incidents on Nigeria’s waterways. Such tragedies are common, particularly during the rainy season, and are frequently caused by vessels that are overloaded and not properly maintained.
The current mishap follows a similar event just last month, where a boat carrying market-goers in north-central Nigeria sank, claiming the lives of at least 25 people. Local media reports indicate that at least 326 people died in boat accidents across Nigeria in 2024.