This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
At least 11 people have lost their lives in a tragic boat accident in Niger, with the region's governor confirming the incident.
The accident occurred on a seasonal river, the Goulbi, which originates in Nigeria and is prone to flooding during the rainy season.
According to the governor, Zakari Oumarou, the boat capsized near the town of Maradi, a region near the border with Nigeria.
"Three or four passengers" of the boat were also reported missing, a local source added.
The Goulbi river is a major waterway in the region, but it poses a significant risk during the rainy season, with the UN warning of potential floods affecting up to 170,000 people.
Heavy rains in 2018 were blamed for the deaths of 52 people and the destruction of 170,000 homes, as well as the loss of 8,000 hectares of crops and 33,000 head of cattle.
Published on July 11, 2019 by AFP.
