Many Feared Dead After Boat Capsizes In Sokoto Community

Many people are feared dead or missing after a boat carrying farmers capsized at Gorau in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident happened on Thursday as passengers crossed a stream to reach rice farms. Local and emergency officials were still working to confirm the number of victims as rescue efforts continued.

Daily Trust reported that about 40 people were suspected to have died after the boat went down. It said more than 70 people were on board and that most of the passengers were children aged between 10 and 15.

Punch reported that the boat carried about 40 passengers, including men, women and children, and said more than 20 bodies had reportedly been recovered while only five people had been rescued at the time of its report. The outlet said the cause of the accident and the identities of the victims had not yet been confirmed.

Vanguard reported that officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency and the state government had mobilised to the scene to assess the situation and coordinate rescue efforts.

The reports point to an active search operation, with residents and emergency responders looking for passengers still missing in the water. Authorities are expected to give a clearer casualty figure after the rescue work and formal checks are completed.

Sources: Daily Trust, Punch, Vanguard