At least 50 killed in northwestern Nigeria boat capsizing

An overloaded boat capsized on a river in northwestern Nigeria on Thursday, killing at least 50 people, mostly children, according to officials and residents. Rescue operations continued near Gorau in the Goronyo local government area of Sokoto state as authorities worked to confirm the final toll.

The accident occurred on the morning of August 20, 2026. A witness at the scene reported seeing 50 bodies, many wrapped in mats and traditional cloth, laid out in the forecourt of a mosque ahead of burial. An official from the National Inland Waterways Authority, Abdulkadir Yusuf, confirmed that approximately 40 children were among the recovered victims. A local lawmaker, Nasiru Adamu, stated that many of those on board were between 10 and 15 years old, and that 16 people had been rescued.

The boat was carrying passengers who were heading to farms for work, likely to plant or harvest rice. Estimates of the number of people on board varied among residents, ranging from at least 57 to as many as 80. One resident explained that during the rainy season, women and children often travel by boat to work in the fields. The incident has deeply affected the local community, with one resident...