At least 60 killed as boat sinks in Niger

Thursday, September 4, 2025 - Less than two months after the state lost hundreds of souls in boat mishap, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed another marine related accident in Borgu Local Government Area.

The incident which occurred at a community by the name, Gausawa in Malale Ward, Borgu LGA according to NSEMA led to the loss of number of casualties.

Statement from NSEMA Desk Officer who led the search and rescue operations indicates that the boat took off from, Tugan sule community in Shagunu ward with 90 people on board, including mostly women and children heading to Dugga for condolence visit.

While rescue operations are still ongoing, NSEMA said the incident which occurred at about 11:40 on Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025 morning was attributed to overloading.

While sailing through mid-way into the journey, the boat collided with a tree stump and due to overload lost bearing and started sinking.

“The boat was overloaded from point of takeoff, and mid-way into the journey it collided with a tree stump and capsized”.

According to the statement, About 60 people are estimated to be dead, several rescued and other still missing

The statement however said, search and rescue operations are still on going for possible recovery of the missing persons.