At least 25 people have been rescued and 25 remain missing two days after a boat carrying about 50 passengers capsized in Sokoto State, Nigeria’s emergency agency said on Tuesday.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the missing are presumed dead. No bodies had been recovered as of Tuesday morning.
Officials said the vessel, which was transporting women, children and motorcycles to the Goronyo market, overturned on Sunday. Authorities blamed overloading and the lack of reliable roads, which pushes residents onto waterways during the rainy season.
Rescue operations have been hindered by strong currents from a nearby dam, said Zubairu Yari, chairman of the Goronyo local government.