More than 50 feared dead as boat capsizes

More than 50 people are feared dead after a boat capsized in Nigeria's northwestern Kebbi State.

The boat, which was carrying at least 100 passengers, was travelling from neighbouring Niger and sunk Wednesday in a remote area in the Bagudo local government area in Kebbi State, Bagudo chairman Muhammad Zagga said.

On Friday, 47 people had been rescued and nine corpses recovered, while the other passengers remained missing, according to Zagga.

Authorities suspect the boat capsized due to overloading, the chairman said.