A wooden boat caught fire and burst on a river in Nigeria’s coastal state of Bayelsa on Wednesday, killing at least 20 persons, according to a police official.
The boat was carrying traders who were transporting products to coastal communities, according to Bayelsa police spokesperson Musa Muhammed on Thursday.
Traders conduct weekly travels between coastal towns and the state capital, Yenagoa.
Last year, at least 200 people were reported died in boat accidents in Nigeria, with authorities repeatedly blaming overpopulation and poor upkeep.
