The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed that 41 persons died and 11 others were rescued in a boat mishap at Gorau community on the Goronyo River in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The NIWA area manager in Sokoto, Abdulkadir Yusuf, confirmed this on Thursday in Sokoto.

Mr Yusuf said the boat was carrying about 82 people, including the community leader, en route to a rice farm for harvest.

He said the dead bodies were buried in different communities, while 11 survivors have reunited with their families, adding that the search for missing persons is still in progress.

Mr Yusuf, who said the incident occurred on Wednesday, attributed it to negligence, canoe overloading and violation of safety rules.

He explained that a team comprising officials from NIWA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Red Cross Society, and local volunteers was on site.

He reiterated that NIWA has been engaging riverine communities on safety measures, guidelines, the use of life jackets and other considerations for water usage.

Several incidents have reportedly occurred along the Sokoto-Rima River almost every year in Sokoto State.

(NAN)