More than 70 dead after boat sinks in Nigeria

Nigerian authorities have recovered the bodies of more than 70 people after an overloaded boat capsized in the northwestern state of Kebbi on Wednesday, a state spokesman said.

The boat was carrying mostly traders from Missa community in central Kogi state heading to a weekly market in neighbouring Niger state. Stock photo.
The boat was carrying mostly traders from Missa community in central Kogi state heading to a weekly market in neighbouring Niger state. Stock photo. (Paul Fleet/123rf.com)

Nigerian authorities have recovered the bodies of more than 70 people after an overloaded boat capsized in the northwestern state of Kebbi on Wednesday, a state spokesman said.

"Seventy-six corpses have so far been recovered, while 22 (people) were rescued, divers are still looking for more bodies," Abubakar Dakingari, spokesman for the Kebbi state governor, said on Friday.

The wooden boat was ferrying between 100 and 200 people, according to wide-ranging estimates from authorities and locals.

Reuters


Related Articles