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CatastropheNigeria

Dozens killed as boat capsizes in Nigeria

Dharvi Vaid with AFP and Reuters
September 4, 2025

An overcrowded boat sank after colliding with a tree stump in north-central Nigeria, authorities said. At least 29 people are reported to have died and some officials say the toll was rising.

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In this photo released by the National Emergency Management Agency, rescue workers search for victims of a boat accident in Goronyo, northwest Nigeria on August 18, 2025
Accidents occur frequently on Nigeria's busy river networks. [File Photo: Aug 18, 2025 ] Image: National Emergency Management Agency/AP Photo/picture alliance

A boat carrying over 100 passengers sank in Nigeria's north-central Niger State, leaving at least 29 people dead, rescuers said on Wednesday.

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said in a statement that 29 bodies were recovered and 50 people were rescued, while two were still unaccounted for.

News agency Reuters cited a local government official as saying that the death toll was rising and had reached as high as 60.

How did the boat sink?

The accident took place around 11 a.m. local time (10 a.m. UTC) on Tuesday.

The boat had left Tungan Sule in the Malale district and was heading toward Dugga.

It hit a submerged tree stump near Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area and capsized.

"The cause was attributed to overloading and collision with a tree stump," SEMA said.

Boats as an eco alternative to traffic jams

Accidents occur frequently on Nigeria's busy river networks. They are usually caused by overloading, poor maintenance of vessels and failure to comply with safety norms.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery

Dharvi Vaid Reporter and news writer based in New Delhi@VDharvi