OVER 40 people are feared dead after a boat carrying farmers and agricultural labourers to their rice farms capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the victims were crossing a stream to access their farms when the canoe reportedly overturned shortly after taking off, throwing dozens of passengers into the water.
Most of those aboard the boat were reportedly children between the ages of 10 and 15 who were travelling with their families and other farm workers to participate in rice harvesting activities.
An eyewitness said more than 70 people were on the boat when the incident occurred, raising concerns that the death toll could increase as rescue teams continue to search for missing passengers.
The village head was also reportedly among those on board but was rescued alongside five other people.
“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” a local journalist who was at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, told our reporter.
According to Kiliya, those on the ill-fated boat comprised farm owners and labourers who had been engaged to assist with the rice harvest.
He said the canoe capsized shortly after departing, leaving several passengers trapped or swept away by the water.
“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.
Local divers and other residents have continued search-and-rescue efforts at the scene, as authorities and the community work to establish the exact number of people who were on board and account for those still missing.
The incident has sparked concern in the community, particularly over the reported number of children among the passengers and the safety of farmers who rely on waterways to access their farmlands.
