The Kogi State Emergency Management Agency on Friday confirmed the death of at least 27 people when a boat capsized on the Niger River in central Nigeria.
Spokesperson for the agency, Sandra Musa said the final death toll from the accident late on Thursday would be known once a search and rescue operation ended.
“So far, 27 bodies have been recovered, but (the) rescue operation is still ongoing,” Musa told Reuters.
The boat was carrying mostly traders from the Missa community in central Kogi state heading to a weekly market in neighbouring Niger state, a National Inland Waterways Authority spokesperson said.
None of the passengers were wearing life jackets, which significantly increased the risk of fatalities, the spokesperson said.
