At least 50 persons are feared dead and many missing after an over-loaded boat capsized on Boxing Day at a crossing point of River Katsina-Ala, Buruku, in Buruku Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, north-central Nigeria.

Reports from the area said the victims were fun seekers who were heading back home from a picnic at Buruku Beach. The reports said the incident occurred around 9pm at the crossing terminal minutes after the boat started its journey.

“The number of casualties is yet to be ascertained and investigation is in process,” spokesman of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Daniel Ezeala, said.

Ezeala told newsmen that search-and-rescue officers had so far recovered 15 corpses but that no survivor had yet been found.

•Photo courtesy Saturday Independent.