Boat carrying 77 passengers capsizes in Goronyo, raising fresh concerns over safety of water transport
At least 46 people have died after a boat carrying 77 passengers capsized in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The boat was reportedly transporting farmers, women and children when it overturned shortly after departing the community on Thursday morning.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that 46 bodies had been recovered while 15 passengers were rescued alive.
Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said rescue teams were still searching for 16 passengers who remained missing at the time of filing the report.
“Forty-six corpses have so far been recovered, while 15 persons were rescued alive.”
Rescue Operation Underway
The search operation involves local divers, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the police.
Local residents also joined the rescue efforts, with several bodies reportedly recovered from the water.
A NEMA official, identified as Alhaji Ibrahim, confirmed that the agency had deployed personnel to the affected community.
Families in Gorau and surrounding communities are anxiously awaiting information about relatives who may still be missing.
The cause of the accident has not yet been established, while rescue operations continue.
Children Among Passengers
The tragedy has drawn concern from community members and political figures, with reports indicating that some of those on board were children aged between 10 and 15 who were travelling alongside farmers and labourers.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’iya, described the incident as a devastating tragedy and called for increased emergency support.
He urged authorities to provide additional rescue personnel, medical teams and equipment while ensuring that victims are properly identified and documented.
Calls For Safer Water Transportation
The accident has also renewed calls for stronger safety measures for rural communities that depend on waterways to reach their farms.
Dan’iya called for a comprehensive assessment of waterways across Sokoto State and urged authorities to introduce measures including:
Mandatory use of life jackets
Proper regulation and inspection of boats
Training and monitoring of boat operators
Improved emergency response capacity
Construction of bridges and alternative crossings where necessary
The incident reportedly occurred exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio community, also in Goronyo LGA.
As rescue teams continue searching the water, families remain hopeful for news of the 16 passengers still unaccounted for.
Sokoto Boat Tragedy: 46 Dead, 15 Rescued As Search Continues For 16 Missing
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