At least 17 persons lost their lives after a boat ferrying around 60 passengers capsized on River Niger in Kebbi State, The Daily Post of Nigeria reported.

The National Emergency Management (NEMA) said that the incident occurred after the boat smashed into a tree trunk in the rain-swollen River Niger.

Confirming the sad incident to newsmen on Wednesday, NEMA coordinator, Suleiman Karim said, "So far 17 bodies have been removed from the water, 12 yesterday and another five this morning."

"Another 17 passengers were rescued by emergency workers and local divers," he said.

"We are still searching for at least 26 people because the 60-passenger boat was full at the time of the accident," he added.

"The number on board may have been higher as ferries in the riverine region are usually overloaded," Karim said.

Source: MENA