At least 26 people have died and 14 remain missing after a boat carrying farmers and fishermen capsized in northeastern Nigeria, authorities confirmed Sunday. The accident occurred late Saturday during a routine journey from Jigawa State to Yobe State, with the vessel reportedly overloaded with passengers and cargo. Local communities have been left reeling from the tragedy, with relatives and neighbors anxiously awaiting updates on missing loved ones while emergency responders continue their operations.

Mohammed Goje, executive director of the State Emergency Management Agency in Yobe, reported that 26 bodies have so far been recovered by rescue teams. Another 14 passengers are still unaccounted for, prompting ongoing search and rescue operations across the river and nearby areas. Authorities have described the conditions as challenging, citing strong river currents and limited visibility, which complicate efforts to locate the missing and recover the remaining bodies safely.

Thirteen survivors were rescued from the capsized vessel, providing firsthand accounts of the chaos and panic that unfolded during the incident. Many passengers reportedly struggled to stay afloat as the boat toppled, highlighting the severe risks posed by unsafe travel conditions on Nigeria’s rivers. Emergency volunteers and state teams are working tirelessly alongside local fishermen to search the riverbanks, hoping to locate the missing passengers and provide immediate medical attention to those who survived.

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River travel accidents are frequent across Nigeria, where overloaded and poorly maintained boats are common on busy waterways. Lack of compliance with safety standards, insufficient life jackets, and aging vessels often contribute to repeated tragedies, particularly in rural areas where river transport remains a primary means of commuting and trade. Each year, dozens of people lose their lives in similar accidents, underscoring a long-standing need for stricter enforcement of regulations and public awareness campaigns about water safety.

Authorities have urged boat operators and passengers to strictly follow safety measures, including limiting the number of passengers, maintaining vessels properly, and wearing life jackets at all times. Meanwhile, local communities continue to grapple with the human and economic toll of the disaster, as families mourn their losses and governments coordinate relief efforts. Rescue teams have vowed to continue searches until all missing individuals are accounted for, emphasizing that safety reforms remain critical to preventing future tragedies.

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