Boat carrying mourners capsizes in Benue, casualty toll unclear

A boat carrying mourners returning from a burial capsized at the Buruku crossing in Benue State on Saturday, October 3, prompting search-and-rescue efforts. Authorities had not established a final count of those aboard, rescued, missing or dead by Saturday afternoon, and the circumstances of the accident remained under investigation. Buruku Local Government chairman Raymond Zege said six people had died. Other early accounts described six people as feared dead or unaccounted for, while reports gave differing estimates of those rescued and missing. The figures were provisional, and officials had not provided a reconciled tally. The boat was carrying mourners returning across the river after attending a burial, according to Zege. Reports put the number aboard at more than 70, although accounts differed on the total. The incident occurred at about 11 a.m., according to reports, and rescue efforts were continuing later that day. Zege attributed the capsizing to engine failure, strong waves and panic among passengers aboard an overloaded boat.