Most of 108 drowning victims in Nigeria boat accident were women and children

By CHINEDU ASADU
Associated Press

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Survivors and local authorities in Nigeria say most of the 108 people who drowned after a boat broke apart were women and their children. Search opperations ended Thursday in the boat accident that occurred on the Niger River in Kwara state. Survivors say the wooden boat was carrying more than 250 people as they returned home from a late-night wedding when the craft hit a log and split early Monday. A local official says the boat was meant to carry only about 200 people. Villagers say at least 144 passengers survived while most of the victims including women and their children. Authorities say the accident was one of the deadliest in recent years in Nigeria.