At least 21 people have died after a passenger boat sank in Sudan’s River Nile state, according to a medical network monitoring the incident.
The vessel was travelling between the villages of Tayba al-Khawad and Deim al-Qarai in northern Sudan, carrying nearly 30 passengers, including women, children and elderly people, the Sudan Doctors Network said.
Rescue teams are continuing search operations amid fears that more victims may still be missing. “Search efforts are ongoing as additional bodies could still be recovered,” said Dr Mohamed Faisal Hassan, spokesperson for the network.
Local authorities confirmed that 21 bodies had been retrieved by Thursday, AFP reported.
Witnesses said the boat capsized on Wednesday evening near Shendi after being struck by high waves. Earlier reports indicated that six passengers survived the incident.
The Sudan Doctors Network called for the urgent deployment of specialised rescue teams and proper equipment to support recovery efforts. It also urged authorities to implement immediate safety measures for river transport to prevent similar tragedies.
“This painful humanitarian disaster once again exposes the fragility of river transport and the lack of basic safety standards,” the group said.
Dr Hassan told the BBC that weak regulation of river transport may have contributed to the sinking. He noted that many boats operating on the Nile are privately owned and often function without effective oversight, safety inspections or enforcement mechanisms.
Authorities had not issued a detailed public response at the time of reporting.
Boat accidents are relatively common in Sudan, where traditional vessels are widely used to cross the Nile, particularly in rural areas where bridges are limited.
The disaster comes as Sudan continues to endure widespread disruption caused by the war that erupted in April 2023 between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While River Nile state has largely avoided frontline fighting, the country’s broader instability has weakened infrastructure and strained public services nationwide.