At least 13 people have died after a small boat, known locally as a pirogue, capsized on the Niger River along the border between Niger and Benin.
The fatal incident occurred on Wednesday, June 25, between the Nigerien town of Gaya and Malanville in northern Benin. Though the cause of the accident remains unknown, residents and local media suspect overloading, a common factor in similar past disasters on the river.
“There were 13 killed and some survivors,” a resident of Gaya confirmed. Local media also reported the same death toll, adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing.
Another witness from Gaya said the boat was “carrying essentially Nigeriens,” and overturned midstream. Some reports suggested around 10 fatalities initially, but official sources later confirmed 13 confirmed deaths, with additional passengers rescued alive.
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Despite a land border closure imposed by Niger’s military junta nearly two years ago—accusing Benin of trying to destabilize the country—river traffic has continued to thrive. Civilians routinely cross the Niger River by boat to transport people and goods, bypassing the closed official routes.
The river, while a vital artery for trade and movement, is also notoriously unsafe, especially during the rainy season when currents are stronger and vessels become harder to navigate.
This is not the first deadly boat accident on the Niger River: In August 2023, a pirogue carrying six people capsized, leading to two deaths.
In February 2019, a catastrophic sinking killed at least 43 people, including children. That vessel was carrying grain cargo and dozens of traders when it overturned.
