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.
The vessel was traveling between the villages of Tayba al-Khawad and Deim al-Qarai, carrying nearly 30 passengers, including women, elderly individuals, and children, the Sudan Doctors Network stated.
Rescue teams are continuing their efforts as there may be more bodies yet to be recovered, said Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan, spokesperson for the network.
Authorities in River Nile state reported the recovery of 21 bodies as of Thursday. Eyewitnesses indicated that the boat capsized due to high waves in the Shendi area on Wednesday evening.
Before the latest updates, the medical group noted that six individuals managed to survive the capsize.
The group has urged the relevant authorities to deploy specialized rescue teams and equipment to facilitate quicker search operations, while also calling for immediate actions to enhance river transport safety to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This tragic event underscores the fragility of river transport systems in Sudan and the lack of necessary safety measures. Dr. Hassan remarked that a weak regulatory framework may have played a significant role in this disaster, noting the prevalence of privately owned boats on the Nile and the absence of effective regulations.
Despite not being a frontline area in the ongoing conflict that has gripped Sudan since April 2023, the River Nile State is not immune to the destabilization affecting other regions. The broader turmoil has strained resources and compromised infrastructure throughout the nation, contributing to such tragic incidents.
Reflecting on the implications of this tragedy, the Sudan Doctors Network called attention to the urgent need for safety regulations in river transport, highlighting that the event is a stark reminder of the dangers that prevail in such systems during times of crisis.
