Tragedy in Nigeria: Overloaded Boat Capsizes Leaving 100+ Missing

An overloaded boat with about 300 passengers capsized in northwestern Nigeria, leaving over 100 people missing. The vessel, meant for 100 people, overturned during an Islamic festival return journey in Niger state's Mokwa district. With 11 bodies recovered, a massive rescue operation is underway.

More than 100 people, mostly women and children, are missing after an overloaded boat bringing them back from an Islamic festival capsized in northwestern Nigeria, authorities reported on Wednesday.

The locally constructed vessel, designed for 100 passengers, was carrying approximately 300 people along the Niger River when it overturned in Niger state's Mokwa district on Monday night, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.

Boat disasters are tragically common in Nigeria, especially in remote areas where poor road infrastructure forces reliance on river travel. This incident marks the fourth tragedy involving over 100 passengers in northern Nigeria since mid-2023. Local media confirmed that 11 bodies, including nine men and two women, have been recovered so far.

By Wednesday morning, at least 150 individuals had been rescued amid an urgent search operation supported by local divers and volunteers, said Abdullahi Baba-Arah, head of Niger state's emergency services.

"The boat was not supposed to carry more than 100 persons, but there were almost 300 people on it. And that was what resulted in the breakage of the boat," stated Salihu Garba, director of relief and rehabilitation at the state emergency services.

Experts attribute most of Nigeria's boat disasters in recent years to regulatory shortcomings, commonly caused by overloading or poorly maintained vessels.

(With inputs from agencies.)