Children were among the 40 people who lost their lives on Saturday when a boat capsized in Gummi town, the headquarters of Gummi Local Government Area in Nigeria’s Zamfara State.
Hassan Dauran, Director of Emergency at the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA), told Channels Television that the boat was carrying approximately 50 passengers when the tragic accident occurred.
“Only a few of the passengers were rescued alive, while the majority, mostly women and children, did not survive,” Dauran said.
An eyewitness reported that the victims were heading to their farms early Saturday morning when the boat overturned and sank. According to this account, there were 53 farmers on board, including children. Only 12 people were rescued alive, among them the boat’s captain, while 41 perished.
The Emir of Gummi, retired Justice Hassan Lawal, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. He described the incident as “very tragic” and prayed for divine forgiveness for those who lost their lives, asking Allah to grant their families the strength to cope with the loss.
This disaster is one of several recent boat accidents that have claimed lives across Nigeria, highlighting ongoing concerns about water transportation safety in the country.
State authorities have launched rescue and recovery operations, with Governor Dauda Lawal directing immediate assistance to victims and their families.
Boat accidents in Nigeria are often attributed to overloading, poor maintenance, and inadequate enforcement of safety regulations.
