Nigerian Boat Carrying Wedding Guest Capsizes, Killing At Least 100 People Including Children

A boat carrying wedding guests capsized on the Niger River in northern Nigeria, killing at least 103 people, including children, authorities said.

The incident occurred early Monday in the Pategi district of Kwara state, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the state capital, Ilorin. Rescue efforts are still ongoing, and dozens of people are still missing. So far, 100 people have been rescued.

What led to this disaster?

The stricken vessel was carrying a large number of passengers, estimated to be close to 300, who were returning from a wedding celebration in neighboring Niger state, according to ABC 7 News.

Tragic events occurred when the boat collided with a submerged log in the water, splitting it in two. The passengers, unable to swim to safety, found themselves in a perilous situation as the boat sank. Nearby villagers reacted quickly, rescuing approximately 50 people at first. The rescue operation, however, was hampered by the darkness and difficult conditions.

Unfortunately, boat mishaps happen frequently in Nigeria’s remote regions, where locally built boats are the main transportation. Frequently, overloading and the use of boats that aren’t in good condition are blamed for these accidents.

What’s the rescue update?

The Nigeria Police Force’s Kwara State Command spokesperson, Ajayi Okasanmi, told ABC 7 News that the search and rescue operation would continue until Wednesday night.

Following the tragedy, Kwara Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured the public that he would continue to monitor the ongoing rescue efforts and search for possible survivors.