ABUJA, Nigeria — Authorities confirmed that a tragic incident occurred along the River Niger, resulting in at least 100 passengers, predominantly women, being reported as missing after a boat capsized while en route to a food market on Friday morning.

The vessel was making its way from Kogi state towards the adjacent Niger when it overturned, as explained by Ibrahim Audu, a spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency. Eyewitness reports shared by local media indicate that the emergency response teams are currently conducting rescue operations, with at least eight fatalities confirmed at the incident site.

While the precise cause of the boat’s sinking remains unverified, local reports indicate that the vessel may have been carrying more than 200 people, raising concerns about possible overcrowding. This situation is not uncommon in the more isolated regions of Nigeria, where inadequate road infrastructure often leaves residents with limited transportation options and leads to overcapacity issues in various modes of transport.

Rescue efforts continue as local divers are actively searching for survivors amidst the challenging conditions in the river. With communication infrastructure in these areas often lacking, updates from the scene are slow, but authorities are working diligently to manage the crisis and provide assistance to those affected by the tragedy.