Tragedy strikes as boat capsizes in Niger, claiming 25 lives including family of 10
A devastating boat accident has claimed the lives of at least 25 people, including 10 members of the same family, in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, in the Gunu community, as passengers were en route to the Kwata-Zumba weekly market.
The boat, reportedly overloaded with farm produce and passengers—mainly traders—capsized mid-journey.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Director General, Abdullahi Arah, on Saturday.
“NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap incident which occurred today, 26th July 2025, around 11:45 a.m. when a boat loaded with commodities and an unspecified number of passengers heading towards Kwata, Zumba Market, capsized along with its occupants,” Arah stated.
He noted that a rescue team comprising NSEMA officials, local divers, and volunteers was immediately deployed to the scene, and efforts are ongoing to retrieve bodies and rescue possible survivors.
Arah added that while some passengers, including the boat driver, were rescued, one victim is currently receiving medical care at the General Hospital in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro LGA.
“As of the time of filing this report, the number of casualties could not be confirmed nor ascertained, as the search and rescue operation is still ongoing by NSEMA desk officers, local divers, and volunteers,” he added.
Meanwhile, the traditional head of Zumba, Sarkin Ruwa Umar Isah, also confirmed the tragedy and offered a preliminary estimate of about 25 fatalities.
He disclosed that among the dead was a single family of 10, while another family reported that five of their members were still missing.
According to him, the exact number of passengers on board remains unclear, as the boat operator did not keep a manifest.
Source: PUNCH
