Abuja: At least 60 people have died in a tragic boat accident in Nigeria's Niger State, officials confirmed, with dozens more injured or still missing. The incident occurred on Tuesday when a vessel carrying over 100 passengers capsized after striking a submerged tree stump near the Gausawa community in the Borgu Local Government Area.

The boat had departed from Tungan Sule in Malale district, heading to Dugga for a condolence visit, when it capsized around 11 a.m. local time. Local authorities reported that the boat was overloaded, and the collision with the tree stump caused the disaster. Emergency responders and local divers have been working tirelessly to locate those still missing.

Among the victims, women and children make up the majority. Four victims were buried on Tuesday following Islamic rites. According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, 29 deaths have been officially confirmed, 50 people were rescued, and two remain missing.

Boat accidents are a recurring issue in Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season. Contributing factors often include lax safety enforcement, overcrowding, and the use of poorly maintained vessels. In response to the tragedy, the Nigerian government and emergency agencies have called for stricter safety regulations and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and appeal to the public to adhere to safety guidelines when using waterways.