LAGOS, Nigeria

At least 25 people were confirmed dead in a canoe accident in Nigeria, officials said on Sunday.

The incident occurred late Saturday when a canoe carrying 52 passengers capsized while travelling from the town of Adiyani in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa state to Garbi in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe state.

While 13 passengers were rescued, a preliminary report by authorities said 14 others remain missing.

Mohammed Goje, executive secretary of Yobe State Emergency Agency, told Anadolu that the victims had gone for fishing, farming, and other local business activities, when the canoe overturned mid-journey.

“The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency can confirm the unfortunate canoe mishap that occurred along the Nguru waterway,” Goje said. “Our search and rescue teams are still working in collaboration with security agencies and local community volunteers to find those missing.”