At least 64 people are feared dead following a tragic boat accident on a river in Zamfara State, northwest Nigeria, local officials confirmed on Saturday. The incident occurred when a wooden boat carrying 70 farmers capsized while transporting them across the river near Gummi town.
Local authorities, led by Aminu Nuhu Falale, swiftly mobilized residents for a rescue operation. “This is the second time such an incident has occurred in the Gummi Local Government Area,” said Falale, who led the efforts. After three hours, six survivors were pulled from the water, while the search continues for the missing passengers.
The boat was reportedly overcrowded as over 900 farmers rely on it to cross the river daily, yet only two boats are available. This often leads to unsafe conditions. A local traditional ruler expressed concerns, noting, “Overcrowding has become a persistent issue, and this tragedy could have been avoided with better transportation options.”
Zamfara State is already grappling with insecurity from criminal gangs vying for control of mineral resources. The region has also been severely impacted by flooding due to heavy rains. Two weeks ago, over 10,000 residents were displaced by floods, compounding the humanitarian crisis.
Emergency teams are intensifying their search efforts, hoping to find more survivors in the aftermath of the accident, which has further raised concerns about the region’s already fragile infrastructure and response capabilities.
