AFP reported that over 100 people, mostly women, are missing after a boat capsized on the River Niger in northern Nigeria. At least eight people were confirmed dead, and local divers were conducting rescue operations. The boat, reportedly carrying over 200 passengers, may have been overloaded. The cause of the incident is unclear, but overcrowding and poor boat maintenance are common issues in such accidents in Nigeria.

At least 100 people, mostly women, were reported missing after a boat carrying them to a food market capsized on the River Niger in northern Nigeria, according to authorities on Friday.

The boat was transporting passengers from Kogi State to the neighboring Niger State early on Friday morning when it overturned, as confirmed by Ibrahim Audu, a spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, speaking to The Associated Press.

Eight individuals were confirmed dead at the scene, with local divers continuing rescue efforts, as reported by Channels Television, which cited eyewitness accounts.

The cause of the sinking has not been confirmed, but local media reports indicated that the boat was carrying over 200 passengers, which could suggest that it was overloaded. Overcrowding in vehicles and boats is common in remote areas of Nigeria, where the absence of adequate road infrastructure leaves many with limited alternative travel options.

Officials in Kogi State have yet to determine the precise location of the incident and are requesting assistance from other agencies, according to Justin Uwazuruonye, the head of Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency operations in the state.

Such tragic incidents are becoming a growing concern in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, as authorities struggle to implement effective safety measures and regulations for water transportation.

Many of these accidents have been attributed to overcrowding and poor maintenance of the boats, which are often built locally to accommodate as many passengers as possible, disregarding safety standards. The enforcement of life jacket usage on these trips remains a challenge due to the high cost and limited availability of such safety equipment.