40 feared dead as boat carrying farmers capsizes

About 40 people are feared dead after a boat carrying farmers and farm labourers capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The boat was carrying farmers and farm labourers who were crossing a stream to access their rice farms, when it capsized on Thursday.

Most of those on board were reportedly children aged between 10 and 15 years.

Sources said more than 70 people were on the boat when it capsized shortly after take-off.

The village head was among those on board but was reportedly rescued alongside five others.

“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, a local journalist who was at the scene, told Daily Trust.

The victims were said to comprise farm owners and labourers who had been engaged to harvest rice.

“The canoe capsized shortly after take-off. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers searching for those still missing and recovering bodies,” Kiliya said.

A senior staff member of the National Emergency Management Agency, who simply identified himself as Alhaji Ibrahim, said that NEMA officials were on their way to the community.

The spokesman for the Police Command in Sokoto State, Ahmed Rufai, said the command would issue a statement on the incident soon.

Rescue efforts were ongoing as local divers continued searching the water for people still missing and recovering bodies from the scene.