64 dead in boat capsize in Nigeria

At least 64 people are believed to have died in a boating accident on a river in Zamfara state in northwest Nigeria, local authorities said on Saturday.

A wooden boat carrying 70 farmers capsized on Saturday morning as it was trying to take them across the river to their fields near the town of Gummi. Local authorities immediately mobilized residents for a rescue operation and after three hours six survivors were pulled from the water.

“This is the second time such an incident has occurred in Gummi local government area,” said Aminu Nuhu Falale, a local administrator who led the rescue effort.

He added that emergency teams were intensifying their search in the hope of finding more survivors.

More than 900 farmers rely on crossing the river every day to reach their fields, but only two boats are available, often leading to overcrowding, the local tribal ruler said.

Zamfara state, already plagued by criminal gangs seeking control of mineral resources, has also been hit hard by flooding caused by heavy rains. Two weeks ago, more than 10,000 residents were forced to flee their homes due to the floods, according to local authorities.