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الوسم: boat accident

  • Two Women Drown Attempting UK Migration by Boat

    Two young women, believed to be of Sudanese descent, died on Sunday while attempting to cross from northern France to the UK in a small boat, authorities reported. The women, approximately 20 years old, were among 82 people aboard a small vessel. Christophe Marx, a regional government official, told reporters that the boat launched at night from Saturday into Sunday but “the engine wouldn’t start,” causing it to drift.

    Seventeen people were rescued at sea and transported to Boulogne-sur-Mer port. The remaining 65 individuals on the vessel eventually ran aground on a beach near Neufchâtel-Hardelot, about 7 miles south of Boulogne-sur-Mer. It was confirmed that the women were found dead inside the boat.

    Emergency responders also treated 13 individuals with moderate injuries and three with severe wounds, including burns, at the hospital. They are currently receiving care and will be interviewed by border police to establish who was responsible for the crossing. Authorities plan to verify the victims’ nationalities. This tragic event marks the third similar incident at the French-British border in just over a month.

    In early April, two migrants died off Gravelines while trying to reach the UK, and another four—two men and two women—died after being swept away by the currents. According to AFP, at least 29 migrants have lost their lives at sea in this region so far in 2025.

    Last month, Britain and France signed a new three-year agreement to bolster efforts preventing crossing attempts. France is increasing maritime patrols with more police and gendarmes along the coast, while the UK is boosting its financial contributions. French officials note that the number of arrivals in Britain has significantly decreased compared to the same period in 2025.

  • Over 60 Dead as Over 100-Rev Boat Capsizes in Nigeria

    Over 60 Dead as Over 100-Rev Boat Capsizes in Nigeria

    A boat carrying over 100 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s Niger State, resulting in at least 60 fatalities and numerous rescues. Officials say dozens of people were saved, but the death toll continues to rise. The accident happened early Tuesday morning when the vessel set out from Tungan Sule in Malale district en route to Dugga for a condolence visit. Near the Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area, it struck a submerged tree stump, causing it to overturn.

    Borgu Local Government Chair Abdullahi Baba Ara reported an increasing death count, stating, “The number of fatalities has now reached 60. Ten individuals are in critical condition, and search efforts for others are ongoing.” The incident took place around 11 a.m. local time.

    Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district chief of Shagumi, shared he was on the scene shortly after the event. “I was there yesterday from noon until late afternoon. More than 100 people were on the boat,” Muhammad explained. “We recovered 31 bodies from the river, and the vessel itself was salvaged and removed.” He also noted that four victims were buried according to Islamic customs, with women and children comprising most of the deceased.

    The Niger State Emergency Management Agency reported ongoing searches by rescue teams and local divers. So far, 29 deaths have been confirmed with 50 people rescued and two still unaccounted for. The agency indicated the boat was overloaded and collided with the tree stump, causing it to capsize.

    Frequent boat accidents in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season, are often caused by insufficient safety enforcement, overcrowding, and poorly maintained vessels.

  • Over 40 Missing Following Sokoto State Boat Disaster in Nigeria

    Over 40 Missing Following Sokoto State Boat Disaster in Nigeria

    Rescue crews are searching for over 40 individuals following a boat crash in Nigeria’s northwest, Sokoto State, according to the country’s emergency services on Sunday.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that the vessel, which was ferrying more than 50 people to a market, capsized early Sunday morning.

    “Approximately 10 people have been saved, but more than 40 remain unaccounted for,” NEMA stated.

    Such boat tragedies are frequent on Nigeria’s under-regulated waterways, often caused by overcrowding and inadequate vessel upkeep, especially during the rainy season when rivers and lakes tend to overflow.

    In a similar incident last August 2024, at least 16 farmers drowned when a wooden canoe overturning while transporting them across a river to their rice fields in Sokoto State.

    Previously, on July 29, six girls drowned when their boat, returning from farm work, capsized midstream in Jigawa State.

    Just two days earlier, a boat accident in Niger’s central region claimed at least 13 lives.

  • Over 40 Missing in Nigeria Boat Tragedy

    Over 40 Missing in Nigeria Boat Tragedy

    Over the weekend, rescue teams in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto State continued searching for over 40 individuals following a boat disaster, according to the country’s emergency response agency. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that the incident occurred Sunday morning when a boat, ferrying more than 50 people heading to a market, capsized. Currently, about 10 people have been rescued, but more than 40 remain unaccounted for.

    Waterway accidents are a frequent issue in Nigeria, often exacerbated by overcrowded vessels and inadequate maintenance, especially during the rainy season when fluvial systems overflow. In August 2024, at least 16 farmers lost their lives after a wooden canoe capsized while transporting them across a river to their rice fields in Sokoto. Earlier in July, six girls drowned when a boat carrying them home from farm work capsized in Jigawa State. Just two days prior, a separate incident in Niger State resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people.