The wood boat was carrying greater than 250 individuals throughout the Niger River in Kwara state, north-central Nigeria, as they returned residence from a late-night marriage ceremony when the craft reportedly hit a log and cut up.

Search efforts had been known as off on Thursday.

One of the survivors, Ibrahim Mohammed, mentioned they carried some little youngsters to shore, “but some of the women did not want to leave their children behind and they drowned.”

“Most of the women in that boat had children, (and a) majority of the people dead are women and small children,” mentioned Mr Mohammed. He mentioned he rescued three youngsters however misplaced 9 youngster relations.

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Villagers ended the search operation on Thursday afternoon, with the victims all buried close to the river in accordance with native customs, he added.

At least 144 individuals survived the accident on the Niger River, which is one among Africa’s longest at about 4,100 kilometers (2,500 miles).

The boat was meant to hold about 200 individuals however was holding a minimum of 250, mentioned Mohammed Ibrahim Liman, chair of the Pategi district the place the accident occurred.

“People rushed to render help, but it was difficult to see the passengers considering how large the river was,” Mr Liman instructed AP news company. As many as 68 of the lifeless had been from one village, he mentioned.

Boats are generally used for transportation in Pategi and lots of different communities surrounded by water throughout Nigeria. Accidents involving them are widespread and are often blamed on overloading and the usage of poorly maintained vessels. A ship capsizing in May killed 15 individuals, together with youngsters.

Monday’s accident was one of many deadliest in Nigeria lately, authorities mentioned.

As the villagers mourned, they known as on authorities to enhance the roads within the space as the popular technique of transportation.

“The lives lost are already gone. The government should do whatever it can do to help us,” mentioned Muhammed Alhassan, who misplaced six members of the family within the accident.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has promised that his administration will look into the challenges of inland water transportation to make sure compliance with security requirements.

After visiting the Pategi district Wednesday, Kwara state Governor Abdul Rahman Abdul Razaq mentioned the state would roll out extra security tips for water transportation.

“Our immediate step is to deliver at least 1,000 life jackets to support safe travel on water,” the governor mentioned, in line with an announcement issued by his workplace.

The tragedy got here simply days earlier than another boat disaster off the Greek coast on Wednesday, which noticed a vessel carrying migrants sink leaving a whole bunch lacking, feared lifeless.