At least 18 people died when a pirogue carrying passengers on the River Niger in central Mali capsized on Wednesday, said a spokesperson for the country’s department of homeland security and emergency preparedness.
There were four missing and 70 survivors from the accident that took place around 05:00 in the rural community of Deboye in Mopti region’s Bangou locality, spokesperson Sounkolo Togola told Reuters.
A security source said overcrowding was a likely cause.
Boats on Africa’s lakes and rivers are often stacked with people and trade goods, and poor maintenance and overcrowding are a frequent cause of accidents.
Source: Reuters