Most victims reportedly children as canoe carrying more than 70 people overturns in Goronyo LGA.
About 40 people are feared dead after a boat carrying farmers and farm labourers capsized while crossing a stream in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident occurred shortly after the canoe took off as the victims were heading to their rice farms. Most of those on board were reportedly children between 10 and 15 years old.
An eyewitness said more than 70 people were on the boat when it overturned. The village head was among the passengers but was reportedly rescued alongside five others.
A local journalist who visited the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, said about 40 bodies had been recovered, while rescue efforts were still ongoing.
According to him, the passengers comprised farm owners and labourers engaged to harvest rice.
Local divers are continuing the search for missing passengers and recovering bodies as efforts to establish the exact number of casualties continue.