26 dead and 14 missing after boat capsizes in northeastern Nigeria

At least 26 people drowned and 14 others are missing after a boat carrying farmers and fishermen capsized in northeastern Nigeria, the emergency services said Sunday.

The incident happened late Saturday, when a rudimentary passenger boat going from Jigawa State to Yobe State capsized, Mohammed Goje, executive director of the State Emergency Management Agency in Yobe state, told reporters.

“So far, emergency volunteers and rescue teams have recovered 26 bodies,” he said. His agency said in a statement that 14 others were missing.

Thirteen other passengers were rescued, he said, adding that search and rescue operations were still underway.

Accidents are common on Nigeria’s busy rivers, often caused by overloaded boats, poor maintenance or failure to comply with safety regulations. Police indicated that the boat captain would likely be prosecuted if he survives.

Several dozens die each year in various accidents along the country’s waterways but boat worker Sunusi Ahmed says it’s been two or three years since an accident like this last occurred.

“The reason such accidents happen is because people overload the boats. However, despite that, some measures were taken to avert that, yet we also call on the authorities to take firm action against overloading.”