Divers and emergency services are mobilizing in a race against time to find survivors.
**Desperate Search Underway for Missing Passengers After Boat Capsizing in Nigeria**
**Desperate Search Underway for Missing Passengers After Boat Capsizing in Nigeria**
Rescue teams intensify efforts to locate over 40 missing individuals following a tragic boat accident in Sokoto State.
Rescue operations in northern Nigeria are ongoing as officials search for over 40 individuals who remain unaccounted for after a boat capsized on the River Goronyo in Sokoto State. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema), the boat, which was transporting more than 50 people to a local market, overturned on Sunday.
A Sokoto State representative confirmed to the BBC that four individuals have been rescued so far. Nema has announced that it is ramping up its rescue efforts in collaboration with local agencies to locate the missing passengers.
Boat disasters of this nature are unfortunately frequent in Nigeria, often attributed to overcrowding, inadequate boat maintenance, and lax enforcement of safety regulations. The situation was mirrored in December 2024 when 54 bodies were recovered from the River Niger following another boat capsizing incident that involved over 200 passengers.
This incident represents a worrying pattern; a month prior, a wooden canoe filled with nearly 300 passengers sank in the Niger River, claiming nearly 200 lives. Additionally, a tragic event two years ago saw over 100 individuals drown in southwestern Nigeria after their vessel, overloaded with about 300 passengers returning from a wedding celebration, capsized.
Despite regulations requiring life jackets for all passengers, many rural areas lack proper safety equipment, highlighting a critical gap in ensuring the safety of river travelers. The need for heightened awareness and enforcement of safety practices in Nigeria’s transportation system has never been more pressing.
Stay updated with the latest news from Nigeria through BBC Africa on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
A Sokoto State representative confirmed to the BBC that four individuals have been rescued so far. Nema has announced that it is ramping up its rescue efforts in collaboration with local agencies to locate the missing passengers.
Boat disasters of this nature are unfortunately frequent in Nigeria, often attributed to overcrowding, inadequate boat maintenance, and lax enforcement of safety regulations. The situation was mirrored in December 2024 when 54 bodies were recovered from the River Niger following another boat capsizing incident that involved over 200 passengers.
This incident represents a worrying pattern; a month prior, a wooden canoe filled with nearly 300 passengers sank in the Niger River, claiming nearly 200 lives. Additionally, a tragic event two years ago saw over 100 individuals drown in southwestern Nigeria after their vessel, overloaded with about 300 passengers returning from a wedding celebration, capsized.
Despite regulations requiring life jackets for all passengers, many rural areas lack proper safety equipment, highlighting a critical gap in ensuring the safety of river travelers. The need for heightened awareness and enforcement of safety practices in Nigeria’s transportation system has never been more pressing.
Stay updated with the latest news from Nigeria through BBC Africa on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
