Overloading and collision with a tree stump are blamed as emergency operations continue
A devastating boat mishap has left at least 29 people dead and two others missing in the Gausawa community of Malale ward, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The tragic incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, has thrown the entire community into mourning.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the ill-fated boat was carrying no fewer than 90 passengers, including women and children, when it capsized. Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of NSEMA, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday in Minna.
He explained that the boat departed from Tungan Sule in Shagunu ward and was headed to Dugga for a condolence visit before the mishap occurred around 11:30 a.m. on the River Niger.
“From our findings, the boat collided with a tree stump mid-river, which, combined with overloading, resulted in the disaster,” Baba-Arah said.
Rescue teams, alongside local divers and volunteers, have so far recovered 29 bodies, while 50 passengers were pulled out alive. Efforts are still ongoing to locate two persons who remain unaccounted for at the time of filing this report.
The Director-General noted that overloading and poor navigation remain recurring causes of boat accidents across Niger’s riverine communities. He stressed that safety measures, including enforcement of passenger limits and removal of hazardous obstacles on waterways, are critical to preventing similar tragedies in the future.
The accident has sparked renewed concerns about the safety of inland water transport in Niger State, where residents often rely on boats as the only means of travel between rural communities separated by rivers. Community leaders have described the incident as a “huge loss,” urging authorities to step up regulation and provide safer alternatives for local travelers.
Meanwhile, emergency responders have continued with search and rescue operations while consoling grieving families who lost their loved ones in the mishap.
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