Disasters & Incidents
Survivors found after deadly Nigeria boat sinking as search continues
Rescue operations were under way on Monday after a boat capsized while crossing a river in Jigawa state in northwestern Nigeria. Authorities said at least five people had drowned and around a dozen people were still missing.
Police had initially said up to 40 people were feared to have drowned in the Sunday accident, including women and children. By Monday afternoon, police said 23 of the estimated 40 passengers had been found alive and around 12 remained unaccounted for.
Police spokesman Shi'isu Adam said one body was recovered on Sunday and five more were found early on Monday. The National Emergency Management Agency gave a lower toll, saying five people were confirmed dead. Nura Abdullahi, the agency's Jigawa state spokesman, said the search and rescue operation was still ongoing.
Boat accidents are common on Nigeria's rivers and waterways. The report said they are often linked to overloaded boats, poor maintenance or failure to follow safety rules, and that scores of people die each year. Nigeria is in its annual rainy season and rains are currently inundating the country, but Abdullahi said rain was not a factor in Sunday's accident.
Update
Authorities said 23 of the estimated 40 passengers had been found alive by Monday afternoon.
Around 12 people were still unaccounted for.
NEMA gave a lower confirmed death toll of five, while police described six bodies recovered.
A NEMA spokesman said search and rescue operations were still ongoing.
A NEMA spokesman said current rains were not a factor in the accident.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 14:28:01 UTC.
Update
The boat capsized in Jigawa state in northwestern Nigeria.
Police spokesman Shi'isu Adam said the accident happened on Sunday while the boat was crossing a river.
Police said women and children were among those feared drowned.
Police said six bodies had been recovered so far.
Emergency responders gave a lower toll, saying five people were confirmed dead, up to 20 were still missing and 15 passengers had been rescued.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 10:55:01 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The death toll differs between the police account and the National Emergency Management Agency's confirmed toll.
The number of missing people is approximate.
The initial fear that up to 40 people had drowned was revised after survivors were found.
Source
AFP news report published on .