At least 50 people, mostly children, died after an overloaded boat capsized on Thursday ​in Nigeria's northwest Sokoto state, witnesses said.

🇬🇭 Here's What Happened

The accident took ‌place near Gorau in Goronyo local government area and rescue efforts are continuing, said Abdulkadir Yusuf, an area manager at the National Inland Waterways Authority.

A Reuters witness ​saw 50 bodies, many wrapped in mats and traditional cloths, ​lying in the forecourt of a community mosque ahead of ⁠their burial in Gorau later on Thursday.

Deadly boat accidents are ​relatively common in Nigeria, where overcrowding, poor maintenance and weak enforcement of ​safety regulations often contribute to disasters on the country's rivers and waterways, particularly during the rainy season.

📌 Key Details

One local resident said the boat had been carrying farm owners ​and labourers hired to harvest rice and that more than 70 ​people had been onboard when it capsized. Another resident said there were 57 people ‌on ⁠board.

Nasiru Adamu, a lawmaker at the Sokoto state legislature from the area, said that those onboard were mostly aged between 10 and 15 years old, adding that ​16 people had ​been rescued.

"We ⁠have buried 46 people, and even more dead bodies have just been brought. The death toll is 53," ​said Sharhabilu Kiliya, one eyewitness.

Mustapha Umar, director of relief ​and rehabilitation ⁠at the state's emergency management agency, said officials were heading to the scene and would provide further information later.

In January, at least 25 people ⁠died ​when a leaking boat capsized in Yobe ​state, northeast Nigeria.

📰 Source: Joy Online Ghana