About 40 people are feared dead after a boat carrying farmers and farm labourers capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident occurred while the victims were crossing a stream to access their rice farms.

Most of those on board were reportedly children between the ages of 10 and 15.

An eyewitness said more than 70 people were aboard the boat when it capsized shortly after taking off.

The village head was also among the passengers but was reportedly rescued.

“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” a local journalist who was at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, said.

Kiliya said the victims comprised farm owners and labourers engaged to harvest rice.

“The canoe capsized shortly after take-off. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers searching for those still missing and recovering bodies,” he said.

The rescue operation was still underway as local divers continued efforts to locate survivors and recover more bodies from the water.