Boat capsizes in Nigeria killing at least 53

At least 53 people have died after a boat carrying farmers and workers capsized in a waterway in Gorau town, Sokoto State, Nigeria, on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The vessel, which was transporting passengers to rice farms, overturned mid-river in the Goronyo Local Government Area, plunging the community into mourning as rescue operations continued for those still missing.

The accident occurred in the morning as the boat, reported to be carrying between 75 and 80 passengers, including many children, was crossing the waterway. The village head of Gorau, Malam Aliyu NaBatsami, who survived the incident, stated that most passengers were farmers heading to their fields. He described how he struggled to stay afloat after the capsize before being rescued by others in the water. "There is one household that lost 11 children," he said, highlighting the scale of the tragedy for local families.

Emergency response teams, including personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority, police, and local divers, mobilized to the scene. As of the latest reports, 53 bodies had been recovered,...