Nigeria: 10 killed in shipwreck

Ten bodies were recovered from the Niger River in northern Nigeria’s Kebbi state on Wednesday after an overloaded boat carrying 100 passengers broke in two, a local official said. The derelict ship broke in two while crossing the river and approaching the village of Samanaji in Koko-Besse district.

Yahaya Bello Koko, a district official, said he was carrying passengers “beyond his capacity”. “We have found 10 passengers with the help of local divers and are looking for 10 more,” he said.

The latter “were considered drowned considering the number of hours they spent in the river,” Yahaya Bello Koko said. More than 80 passengers were rescued, he said. Central or state officials were not immediately available. Boat accidents are common in Nigeria. They are often linked to overloading of vessels, excessive speed, poor maintenance and non-compliance with navigation rules. In October, at least 80 people drowned in two shipwrecks.