More than 50 people are dead and dozens are missing after a Nigerian boat sinks
At least 54 bodies have been found in Nigeria's Niger River after a boat, possibly carrying more than 200 passengers, capsized in the early hours of Friday, authorities said.
24 people who were on the boat were rescued, some of them are in hospital, but many others may not be.
Divers are still searching the water but hope is fading that other survivors may be found.
This is the latest in a long series of boating accidents on inland waterways. Despite safety recommendations being made, laws are not followed and few are held accountable.
The boat was traveling from Kogi state, in central Nigeria, to a weekly market in neighboring Niger state when it went down.
Market vendors and farm workers were thought to be among the passengers.
The cause of the accident was not yet known, but there are indications that most of the travelers were not wearing life jackets as required.
Finding out exactly who was on the boat is difficult because no records were kept, a local official in charge told the BBC.
“The problem is that there is no record of the passengers and because of the time of the accident, giving an accurate report on people, survivors and those who are missing, is very difficult,” said Justin Uche, head of the Kogi regional office of the National Emergency. Said Management Agency.
Meanwhile, the governor of Kogi state, Usman Ododo, has ordered all hospitals where the survivors are receiving treatment to ensure that they receive proper care including food.
He also urged that security laws be strengthened to ensure that similar incidents are avoided in the future.
This is the third time a passenger boat has landed in Nigeria in the last 60 days.
Last month, a wooden boat, which was full of nearly 300 passengers, capsized and sank in the middle of the Niger River killing nearly 200 people.
Just last week, five people died when two boats collided in southern Delta state, Nigeria.
Map
You may also be interested in:
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfricaon Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
