25 feared dead, 13 rescued after boat capsizes in Yobe

At least 25 people are feared killed and 13 others rescued after a passenger boat capsized in Yobe State, officials have said.

The accident occurred on a river in the north-east region of Nigeria, where emergency responders have been searching for survivors and victims.

According to early reports, the overloaded vessel went down while transporting passengers — many believed to be marketgoers and traders — when it encountered difficulties on the water.

Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and local volunteers, worked to pull survivors from the river and continue efforts to recover those still missing.

Authorities said 13 people were pulled alive from the water, but dozens remain unaccounted for, and the death toll could rise as search operations continue.

Boat accidents are common in remote parts of Nigeria, especially during the rainy season, when rivers swell and vessels often operate over capacity and without safety equipment like life jackets.

The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about waterway safety, overcrowding and the need for stricter enforcement of transport regulations on inland waters in vulnerable communities.

Rescue operations are still underway as families await news of loved ones.