8 Die, 100 Missing As Boat Capsises In River Niger

At least a hundred people, mostly women have been reported missing after a boat transporting them to a food market capsised along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger in Kogi State.

The boat was taking the passengers to neighbouring Niger early Friday morning when it capsised, Niger State Emergency Management Agency spokesman, Ibrahim Audu told The Associated Press.

At least eight persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while local divers were trying to rescue others, Channels Television reports.

Though authorities have not confirmed the cause of the mishap, eyewitnesses say the boat was carrying more than 200 passengers, suggesting it might have been overloaded.

According to Justin Uwazuruonye, who is in charge of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) operations in the state, officials in Kogi are yet to locate the exact location of the incident and are seeking assistance from other agencies.

Overcrowding in vehicles is common in remote parts of Nigeria where bad roads leave many with no alternative routes.

Nigeria has recorded several boat accidents in the last year, leading to several deaths.

Most of the accidents have been attributed to overcrowding and lack of maintenance of the boats, often built locally to accommodate as many passengers as possible in defiance of safety measures.