Dozens missing after boat capsizes in Niger River

Dozens of people were missing in northwest Nigeria after a ferry boat they were traveling in capsized in the Niger River.

Local news outlets report that the boat was overloaded at the time, carrying around 160 passengers, which is double its capacity.

The vessel was also loaded with bags of sand from a gold mine.

A BBC report says quoting eyewitnesses that the boat broke into two while in the middle of the river.

Water divers and emergency agencies launched a rescue operation, and some 22 people had been rescued at the time of publication.

The incident comes weeks after another overloaded boat capsized in central Niger state.

According to AFP, the boat ferrying 100 local traders split into two after hitting a stump during a storm as they were returning from a local market.

(With input from agencies)