Dozens feared dead in Nigeria boat accident

It's thought that dozens of people may have drowned and many others are missing after the boat carrying them down the River Niger capsized.

Some reports suggest the passengers were returning from a wedding party.

The vessel had been travelling from Niger state to Kwara state on Monday, say local authorities. It is not known what caused the accident.

A statement from the Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said "dozens of people were feared killed and many others [are] still missing".

According to the Emir of Pategi - the locality where it happened - more than 150 people have now been confirmed dead.

The Kwara state governor gave his "heartfelt condolences" to the victims' loved ones - and said rescuers were continuing to search for survivors.

Such accidents are sadly common in Nigeria. Just last month 14 people died after a boat capsized in nearby Sokoto state.

This article originally appeared on BBC News.

Image via Getty.