Breaking 40 People Feared Dead as Boat Carrying Farmers Capsizes
- A boat carrying over 70 people capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State
- Most of those on board were reportedly children aged between 10 and 15 years going to harvest rice
- A local journalist at the scene said rescue operations were still ongoing, with divers searching for the missing
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Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Sokoto State - At least 40 people are feared dead after a wooden canoe capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, while transporting farmers and labourers to rice fields across a stream.
Rescue workers had recovered about 40 bodies by the time of reporting, while six survivors, including the community's village head, had been pulled to safety.
Source: Getty Images
As reported by Daily Trust, a local journalist, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, who was present at the scene, made this known.
"So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued."
Children among victims
An eyewitness account indicated that more than 70 people were aboard the vessel when it went down shortly after departing the riverbank.
A significant number of those on the boat were children between the ages of 10 and 15, many of whom had been brought along to assist with the rice harvest.
The victims included both farm owners and hired labourers who had gathered to collect rice from farms on the other side of the stream.
Rescue operations ongoing
Kiliya described the canoe as having capsized almost immediately after it set off, leaving little time for those on board to react.
"The canoe capsized shortly after take-off. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers searching for those still missing and recovering bodies."
The village head, who was on board at the time of the incident, was among the six people confirmed rescued.
Local divers continued to search the waterway for additional survivors and to retrieve bodies still unaccounted for.
The full death toll remains uncertain as rescue efforts were still active at the time of this report.
Source: Original
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Boat carrying female farmers capsizes
Recall that a boat carrying mostly female farmers capsized in Jigawa, leaving dozens of passengers unaccounted for.
Police and emergency responders have continued search operations as authorities work to establish the full extent of the tragedy.
Officials have cautioned residents against speculation while rescue efforts and assessments remain underway.
7 family members die while returning from burial
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that tragedy struck a Benue family as seven members drowned after the burial of their mother.
The boat capsized on the River Benue has raised calls for improved water transport systems.
Reacting to the incident, many demanded government action to prevent avoidable deaths in Nigeria.
Source: Legit.ng
