Dozens feared dead in Nigeria after boat capsizes

Dozens of people are feared dead after a boat capsized in north-central Nigeria.

The boat was carrying more than 300 passengers on the Niger River when it overturned on Tuesday evening, said Abdullahi Baba Arah, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).

About 60 dead bodies have been recovered from the scene, council chairman Abdullahi Muregi was quoted as saying by Nigerian media.

Mr Arah’s statement said that 150 people had been rescued alive so far and that most of the boat’s passengers were women and children heading to celebrate the Muslim festival of Mawlid.

Mr Arah praised the “quick response” of community volunteers, who tried to rescue the passengers with “brave” local divers.

The boat was on its way from a community called Mundi.

Many passengers were heading to Gbajibo village to celebrate Mawlid – a celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed.

Mr Arah’s statement did not say what caused the boat to capsize.

However, incidents of boat overturns on the Niger River, Africa’s third longest river, are common, especially during the rainy season when water levels are high.

Some boats on the river are rickety and overloaded with passengers. Debris, such as tree branches, on the water can also cause problems for the boats.

In September last year, at least 24 people were killed when a boat capsized in the same area. The ship was carrying more than 50 passengers, who were on their way to the farm for the harvest.