Over 40 Farmers Die, Dozens Missing as Boat Capsizes in Sokoto

Over 40 Farmers Die, Dozens Missing as Boat Capsizes in Sokoto

Over 40 people are feared dead after a boat carrying farmers to their rice farms capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident occurred on Thursday while the victims were crossing a stream to access their farms.

Most of those on board were reportedly children between the ages of 10 and 15, according to eyewitness accounts.

A local journalist who witnessed the incident, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, said more than 70 people were on the boat when it capsized shortly after departure.

He said about 40 bodies had so far been recovered, while six people, including the village head, were rescued.

“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” Kiliya told Daily Trust.

According to him, the passengers comprised farm owners and labourers engaged to harvest rice on the farms.

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

The incident has triggered an ongoing search-and-rescue operation as local divers continue efforts to locate passengers still unaccounted for.

The exact cause of the boat’s capsizing was not immediately clear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the casualty figure and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Further details are expected as rescue operations continue.