At least 21 individuals lost their lives in a tragic incident when a boat sank in the Nile River in northern Sudan, as reported by the local state government and eyewitnesses in contact with AFP. River Nile State confirmed the recovery of 21 bodies following the accident, provided a list of the deceased, and indicated that several passengers remain unaccounted for. The vessel was en route between Tayba al-Khawad and Deim al-Qarai villages, as per the local government’s official statement, which did not offer details on the cause of the calamity.
Eyewitnesses informed AFP that the boat was carrying 30 individuals. The Sudanese Doctors Network stated that six passengers survived the ordeal. The organization condemned the incident, highlighting the vulnerability of river transportation, the lack of essential safety measures, and the absence of prompt intervention by local authorities and civil defense units during the initial stages of the mishap.
In Sudan, a significant number of residents depend on river travel facilitated by small boats operated by individual captains. The country’s infrastructure has been deteriorating due to a prolonged conflict lasting almost three years, resulting in disruptions in public services, medical facilities, and educational resources.
Furthermore, a devastating fire erupted at a displacement camp in Sudan, claiming the life of a child and displacing hundreds of individuals already impacted by the ongoing conflict in the region. The tragic incident occurred at Al-Omda camp near Tawila in North Darfur, as described by Abu Bakr Haroun, the deputy head of the camp’s management committee. The fire, deemed “catastrophic,” resulted in the death of a three-year-old child, injuries to 13 people, the destruction of 548 residences, and the loss of numerous animals.