At least 21 people have died after a passenger boat sank in River Nile state in northern Sudan, according to a medical group that reported the incident to the BBC.
The boat was en route between the villages of Tayba al-Khawad and Deim al-Qarai, carrying nearly 30 passengers, including women, elderly people, and children, as stated by the Sudan Doctors Network.
Rescue teams are actively searching for additional victims, with Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan, the network's spokesperson, mentioning that there could be more bodies yet to be recovered.
Reports indicate that authorities in River Nile state confirmed the recovery of 21 bodies, while eyewitnesses recounted that the boat capsized due to high waves on Wednesday evening in the Shendi area.
In a prior statement, the medical group noted that six individuals managed to survive the tragedy and urged the implementation of specialized rescue teams and equipment to expedite search efforts. They called on authorities to ensure river transport safety to prevent similar disasters from occurring in the future.
The group expressed concern over the weak safety regulations associated with river transport that might have contributed to this devastating incident. Many vessels operating on the Nile are privately owned, and there is an evident lack of proper regulatory frameworks and safety measures in place.
Sudan has witnessed numerous accidents involving traditional boats due to the lack of bridges, especially in rural regions, making such tragedies more prevalent.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to widespread devastation, particularly in areas like the capital Khartoum and Darfur, displacing millions and crippling essential services.
Although River Nile State, where this accident occurred, has not been the epicenter of fighting, the overall instability in the country has strained resources and infrastructure.
