About 40 people are feared dead after a boat conveying farmers to their rice farms overturned in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday while the passengers were crossing a stream to reach their farms.
Many of those aboard the boat were said to be children between the ages of 10 and 15.
An eyewitness said the vessel was carrying more than 70 people when it capsized shortly after leaving the riverbank.
The village head of the community was also among the passengers but was said to have survived the accident.
So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” a local journalist who was at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, told our reporter.
He explained that the passengers included farmers who owned the rice fields as well as labourers hired to assist with the harvest.
“The canoe capsized shortly after take-off. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers searching for those still missing and recovering bodies,” he said.
(DAILY TRUST)
