Key Points
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Nigeria boat accident kills more than 60 in Niger State.
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Overcrowding and poor safety standards blamed for disaster.
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Dozens remain missing as search operations continue.
At least 60 people have been confirmed dead after a boat accident on the Niger River in north-central Nigeria, officials said, in one of the country’s deadliest river disasters this year.
According to a report by Africa-news, dozens remain missing as rescue workers and local divers continue a frantic search. The wooden vessel, reportedly carrying more than 100 passengers, capsized early in the morning near the Mokwa area of Niger State. Survivors told authorities the boat was overcrowded and struggled with strong currents before tipping over. Many of those on board were women and children heading to local markets.
Nigeria boat accident leaves many feared missing
Authorities in Niger State said 61 bodies had been recovered as of late Wednesday, while at least 30 people were still unaccounted for. Rescue efforts have been hampered by poor visibility and a lack of proper equipment, with villagers joining in using canoes to assist in the search.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it was working with local authorities to provide relief to survivors and families of the victims. “This tragedy underscores the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations on inland waterways,” the agency said in a statement.
Communities mourn amid recurring tragedies
Deadly boat accidents are common in Nigeria, where operators often ignore safety standards. Overcrowding, lack of life jackets, poorly maintained boats, and unpredictable river currents contribute to the frequent disasters. Niger State Governor Umaru Bago expressed shock and grief, calling the incident a preventable tragedy. He vowed to tighten monitoring of waterways and to support the victims’ families. President Bola Tinubu also extended condolences, describing the disaster as a “heart-wrenching loss of lives.”
For riverine communities along the Niger, the disaster adds to a long list of tragedies tied to unsafe water transport. Many residents rely on boats for daily movement in the absence of reliable road infrastructure.
Analysts say without investment in safer boats, improved regulation, and emergency response equipment, such accidents will continue to claim lives. For families in Niger State, the grief is immediate: rows of bodies laid along the riverbank, survivors recounting their last moments on the water, and villages plunged into mourning.
The final death toll is expected to rise as search operations continue. For now, the Nigeria boat accident stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for waterway reforms.
