Tragedy Strikes: Overloaded Ferry Sinks in Niger State, Leaving at Least 60 Dead

On the morning of September 2nd, 2025, a tragic accident occurred when an overloaded ferry set out from Tungan Sule in Niger State, Nigeria, heading towards the village of Dugga. The vessel, which carried over one hundred passengers, including men, women, and children, struck a submerged tree stump along the Malale River near the Gausawa community. This collision caused the ferry to capsize, resulting in one of the deadliest maritime incidents in the region.

Emergency responders managed to recover thirty-one bodies from the river, while about fifty passengers were rescued and brought to safety. Despite ongoing rescue operations, many individuals are still unaccounted for. Abdullahi Baba Ara, the local chairman of Borgu Local Government, reported that the death toll has tragically risen to sixty, with ten survivors reported in critical condition.

The ferry was on a condolence mission, transporting passengers who were paying their respects to a recently deceased villager. Such accidents are unfortunately common on Nigeria’s inland waterways, primarily due to vessel overloading, poor maintenance, and lack of adherence to safety regulations.

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