At least 60 people have died, and dozens more were rescued after a boat capsized in Niger, north-central Nigeria, local authorities reported Wednesday, according to Xinhua.
“The death toll has risen to 60, and the number of victims is still increasing,” said Abdullahi Baba Ara, Chairman of Borgu Local Government. He added that 10 survivors are in critical condition, while many remain missing.
The Niger Emergency Management Agency said local rescue teams and divers are conducting intensive search operations.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. local time (1000 GMT) on Tuesday when the overloaded boat collided with a tree stump and capsized near the Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government.
The boat was carrying over 100 people, with women and children reported among the majority of the casualties, said Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head.
