64 missing after boat capsizes in Northwest Nigeria

Nigerian authorities have announced that 64 people are missing after a boat capsized in the northwest region of the country.

According to a report by CNN, published on Sunday, September 15, a wooden boat carrying 70 farmers capsized on Saturday morning while attempting to cross the river to reach farmlands near the city of Gumi, leaving 64 people missing.

Local authorities quickly mobilized residents for a rescue operation, and after three hours, six survivors were pulled from the water, according to reports from international media.

Aminu Nuhu Falale, a local official leading the rescue efforts, stated, “This is the second time such an incident has occurred in the Gumi local government area.”

Another Nigerian official confirmed the incident, adding that a similar accident had previously occurred in the same area.

The official further noted that emergency teams are intensifying their search in hopes of finding more survivors.

The Nigerian official explained that over 900 farmers rely on crossing the river daily to access their farmlands, but with only two boats available, overcrowding often occurs, contributing to these tragic accidents.

The recurring accidents in the Gumi region highlight the urgent need for more safe transportation options for farmers, whose livelihoods depend on crossing the river.

As rescue operations continue, the incident underscores the broader issue of inadequate infrastructure in rural Nigeria, which puts the lives of many at risk and calls for immediate government intervention.

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