Boat Carrying Over 200 Passengers Capsizes In Niger, 8 Bodies Recovered

Multiple lives have been lost in a devastating boat accident that occurred early on Friday along the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of the river Niger.

According to eyewitnesses, the boat, which belonged to one Musa Dangana, was carrying over 200 passengers, including market women and farm labourers, en route to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State.

Tragically, it capsized, throwing all on board into the water. Local divers are assisting in the recovery of the victims’ bodies.

As of the time of this report, eight bodies have been recovered, while search and rescue operations continue to locate the remaining passengers.

On October 1, 2024, a similar incident occurred along the Muwo Gbajibo River in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, killing many people and injuring many lives.

Preliminary reports show that no one wearing life jackets at the time of the collision, which may have contributed to the high casualties count.

An investigation is expected to be launched to determine the cause of the accident, though the authorities have not yet made an official statement regarding the most recent incident.

READ ALSO: Five Dead, 20 Missing In Delta Boat Mishap

In the last year, there have been several boat accidents in Nigeria that have resulted in numerous fatalities.

In the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State last week, a boat accident caused the deaths of five people and the injuries of others.

A speedboat collided with two other vehicles as they were carrying family members from a burial ceremony.

The collision caused the boats to capsize, plunging passengers, who were mostly without life jackets, into the water.

A boat carrying over 50 passengers capsized in Niger State in September 2023, causing a similar incident.

On their way to the farm to harvest, about 24 people died in the incident.

Source: Channels TV