At least 26 dead in boat mishap in Nigeria

Lagos, Sep 11 (EFE) .- At least 26 people died in a boat accident on the Niger River in western Nigeria, while over 30 others were rescued according to emergency services late Sunday.

The accident occurred in Mokwa in Niger State as the boat capsized while ferrying more than 100 people to a farm across the river.

Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) spokesperson Ibrahim Husseini said in a statement that 26 bodies had been recovered and more than 30 people had been rescued as the operation continued.

NSEMA head Garba Salihu said the accident took place around 07.30 local time in the locality of Gbajibo, between the Jabba and Kainji dams.

Niger State Governor Umaro Bago described the tragedy as shocking and painful, and offered support to the affected communities.

In June, more than a hundred people died in another boat mishap in the Niger River.

Boat accidents are common in Nigeria, mainly due to overloading of vessels and poor regulation of water transport. EFE

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