Local officials reported on Saturday that at least 64 people are believed to be dead after a boating accident in Zamfara State, in the northwest of Nigeria.

On Saturday morning, a wooden boat with 70 farmers on board capsized while transporting them to their farmlands near Gummi town. The local authorities mobilised residents to help in the rescue effort. After three hours, six people were pulled out of the water.

Aminu Nuhu Falale is a local administrator and the person who led the rescue effort.

He said that the search for survivors was intensifying in hopes of finding more survivors.

The local traditional leader said that more than 900 farmers depend on crossing the river to reach their farms every day, but there are only two boats available. This often leads to overcrowding.

Heavy rains in Zamfara State have caused flooding that has been devastating to the state. Local officials reported that floods had displaced over 10,000 people two weeks ago. (Written by Isaac Anyaogu, edited by Ros Russell).

(source: Reuters)