…only 22 rescued so far
A boat carrying over 160 passengers capsized in River Niger in North-Western Nigeria, leaving dozens of people missing and presumed dead.
The passengers, mostly women and children, were travelling on Wednesday from Niger State to Kebbi State when the boat capsized, according to a report by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Eyewitnesses say the boat had more than 160 people on board when it split in half in the middle of the river.
Authorities in Kebbi State told the BBC that water divers and rescue agencies were searching for the passengers.
22 people have been rescued at the time of filing this report.
Boat accidents are prevalent along the Niger River, particularly when the water level increases after heavy rain.
Overcrowding or collisions with river tree trunks are also blamed for some accidents.
A similar catastrophe in the neighbourhood killed eight people last September.