At least 40 are presumed dead after the Kebbi boat tragedy.

 

According to a local official, it has been reported that a passenger boat in northwest Nigeria's Kebbi state encountered strong currents, resulting in its capsizing. As a consequence, a minimum of 40 individuals are currently unaccounted for and thought to have tragically drowned.

Frequent occurrences of boat accidents are observed on Nigeria's inadequately controlled waterways, mostly attributed to factors such as overloaded boats, insufficient maintenance practices, and inadequate safety measures. This issue is particularly pronounced during the yearly rainy season, characterized by the swelling and flooding of rivers and lakes.

According to Bala Mohammed, the administrator of Yauri district, the ongoing search for 40 passengers is being conducted in collaboration with local divers. It is currently believed that these individuals have tragically lost their lives due to drowning, as a result of the tragedy that occurred on Monday.

The search is challenging because to the elevated water level and intensified currents caused by the wet season.

According to officials, in the previous month, a boat carrying over 100 farmers across the Niger River in Niger state crashed, resulting in the recovery of at least 24 bodies and 50 individuals reported as missing.

According to emergency personnel, a tragic incident occurred in northeastern Adamawa state, resulting in the drowning of 10 individuals and the disappearance of three others. This unfortunate event took place two days prior when a boat carrying traders capsized in a lake.