Abuja, Nigeria CNN —More than 100 people are now confirmed dead after a boat ferrying hundreds of wedding guests overturned Monday in the river Niger around north-central Nigeria, local police said.
The vessel was carrying around 250 passengers traveling back to Patigi in northcentral Kwara State after attending a wedding party in Gboti, in neighboring Niger State, when it sank early Monday, killing 106 on board, according to police.
Heavy rains and floodingThe overcrowded boat capsized after hitting a tree trunk, he said of the accident which happened at around 3:00am Monday.
Niger and Kwara states lay along the banks of the River Niger, West Africa’s main river, and surrounding communities remain vulnerable when it overflows.
Last month, at least 15 people died after a boat capsized in northwestern Sokoto State, authorities told CNN.
Persons:
Nigeria CNN —, Ajayi Okasanmi, Abdul Gana Lukpada, Patigi, ” Lukpada, ”, ” “
Organizations:
Nigeria CNN, CNN, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Police
Locations:
Abuja, Nigeria, Niger, northcentral Kwara State, Gboti, Niger State, Kwara, Patigi, Egboti, West, Sokoto State