Tragedy struck the Gorau community in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State following a boat accident that reportedly claimed several lives.

The incident, according to a preliminary report from a resident of the town, occurred on Thursday when a boat carrying about 40 passengers, including men, women and children, capsized.

This latest incident came exactly one year after a similar incident occurred in Kijio community in the same LGA.

A resident of the town who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the incident to our correspondent, but said the total casualty cannot be immediately verified.

“Only five people have so far been reported rescued, while more than 20 bodies have reportedly been recovered from the water.

“Rescue efforts are ongoing as emergency responders and residents continue searching for passengers who remain missing,” the source stated.

The development has thrown the community into mourning, with families anxiously waiting for information about the whereabouts of their loved ones.

Residents have appealed for intensified rescue operations to locate and save any passengers who may still be alive.

As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding the cause of the accident and the identities of the victims were not immediately available.

Further updates are expected as rescue operations continue.

When contacted, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, said the command would issue a statement on the incident soon.

A senior staff member of the National Emergency Management Agency, who simply identified himself as Alhaji Ibrahim, told our correspondent that NEMA officials are currently on their way to the community.