At least 103 people died when a river boat capsized in Kwara state. The boat, said to be carrying up to 300 people, overturned after hitting a tree trunk. The local police and residents reported that many of the victims were returning from a wedding ceremony.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said in a statement that the boat had carried people from several states, but it remained unclear whether all of the passengers had been attending the wedding ceremony. He is also expressed condolences to the people of Patigi in the local government area following a boat accident.

More than 100 people were rescued, but the death toll is expected to rise.

River boat accidents are common in Nigeria due to overloading, heavy flooding in the rainy season and lax safety regulations. Nighttime sailing is outlawed across the country, but the ban remains poorly enforced. In May 2023, at least 15 people died after a boat capsized in northwestern Sokoto State.

SOURCE: Allafrica.com