About 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.
The victims were crossing a stream to reach their farms when the boat overturned. Most of those on board were reportedly children aged between 10 and 15.
An eyewitness said more than 70 people were on the boat when it capsized shortly after taking off.
The village head was also on board but was rescued.
“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” a local journalist at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, told our reporter.
He said the victims included farm owners and labourers hired to harvest rice.
“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.
