At least 40 people are feared dead after a boat carrying farmers to their rice farms capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on Thursday, August 20.
According to eyewitnesses, the victims were crossing a stream to access their farms when the canoe capsized shortly after take-off.
The boat was reportedly carrying mostly young people, many of them between the ages of 10 and 15, who were travelling with farm owners and labourers engaged to harvest rice.
The village head was also said to be among those on board but was reportedly rescued.
An eyewitness said about 40 bodies had been recovered, while six people, including the village head, were rescued.
“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” the eyewitness said.
He added that rescue operations were still ongoing, with local divers searching the water for people who may still be missing and recovering the bodies of those who lost their lives.
“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.
The incident has thrown the community into mourning as efforts continue to establish the exact number of people who were on board and account for those still missing.