At least 60 people have died and dozens have been rescued after a boat carrying over 100 passengers capsised in Niger State, Nigeria local officials reported.

The incident occurred when the vessel, departing from Tungan Sule in the Malale district for a condolence visit to Dugga, struck a submerged tree stump near the Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area.

Chair of Borgu Local Government Abdullahi Baba Ara, confirmed that the death toll is rising. “The death toll of the boat incident has risen to 60”, he told Reuters, adding that ten individuals were found in serious condition and many others are still missing. The accident took place around 11am.

The district head of Shagumi Saádu Inuwa Muhammad, was on the scene shortly after the incident. “I was at the scene yesterday from 12pm until 4pm”. The boat carried more than 100 people”, he said noting that 31 bodies had been recovered from the river.

Four victims were buried on Tuesday according to Islamic rites, with women and children comprising the majority of the deceased.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency reported that emergency personnel and local divers are actively searching for additional victims. They confirmed 29 deaths, 50 rescues and two missing persons.

The agency stated that the boat was overloaded and collided with a tree stump, leading to capsizing.

Boat accidents are common in Nigeria, particularly in rainy season, due to lax safety regulations over crowding and the use of poorly maintained vessels.