SOKOTO, Nigeria — At least 47 people have died after an overloaded boat capsized near Gorau in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, in one of the deadliest recent boat accidents in the region.

The incident occurred on Thursday as passengers were travelling by boat to farming areas. The vessel was reportedly carrying dozens of people when it overturned, sending passengers into the water.

Authorities said 47 bodies had been recovered, while rescue teams continued searching the waterway for survivors and missing passengers. Earlier reports indicated that at least 16 people were rescued.

The tragedy has caused particular anguish because many of those who died were children. Local accounts said a significant number of the passengers were young people travelling with adults to farming communities.

Residents described scenes of grief as recovered bodies were brought back to the community. Families gathered to identify relatives and prepare for burial as recovery operations continued.

The exact number of people aboard the vessel remains unclear, with different accounts putting the passenger count at between 57 and more than 70. The boat was reportedly overloaded, raising questions about compliance with inland-waterway safety regulations.

The National Inland Waterways Authority and local emergency responders are involved in the recovery operation. Officials are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the vessel’s passenger capacity and the availability and use of safety equipment.

Boat accidents remain a recurring problem on Nigeria’s inland waterways, particularly during the rainy season. Overcrowding, inadequate safety equipment, poor vessel maintenance and weak enforcement of safety regulations have been cited as factors in previous accidents.

The Sokoto disaster has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of passenger limits, compulsory use of life jackets, regular inspection of boats and improved emergency response on the country’s waterways.

As rescue teams continue their search, authorities have warned that the death toll could rise if more bodies are recovered.