A tragic boat accident on a river in Zamfara State has left at least 64 people feared dead.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning when a wooden boat carrying 70 farmers capsized while crossing the river to reach their farmlands near Gummi town.
Local authorities immediately responded to the disaster, organizing a rescue operation that involved residents from the area.
After hours of searching, six survivors were pulled from the water.
“This is the second time such an incident has happened in the Gummi Local Government Area,” said Aminu Nuhu Falale, a local administrator who led the rescue efforts.
He added that emergency teams were continuing their search for additional survivors.
The local traditional ruler highlighted the challenges faced by farmers in the region, as more than 900 people rely on the two available boats to access their farmlands daily.
This often leads to overcrowding and dangerous conditions.
Zamfara State has been grappling with various crises, including criminal activities and recent flooding caused by heavy rains.
Two weeks ago, floods displaced over 10,000 residents, according to local officials.