Overloaded boat capsizes in Sokoto, 46-53 dead
Sixteen people survived and 15 remain missing, with most victims reported to be children aged 10-15.
At least 46 to 53 people died after an overloaded boat capsized near Gorau in the Goronyo area of Sokoto State, Nigeria, on Aug. 20. Authorities and witnesses gave different death tolls as the search continued. Police said 46 bodies had been recovered, 16 people survived and 15 others were still missing. A National Inland Waterways Authority official said about 40 of the recovered victims were children. Local lawmaker Nasiru Adamu said most passengers were aged 10 to 15. Residents said the boat carried more than 70 people, including landowners and rice harvest workers. Boat accidents are common in Nigeria, driven by overcrowding, poor maintenance and weak enforcement of safety rules on waterways.