At least 12 individuals are missing following a boat accident in central Sudan’s White Nile State. The incident occurred when a ferry carrying 16 passengers sank in the Wad Al-Zaki area. While four passengers were rescued, search operations are ongoing, as confirmed by the Sudan Doctors Network, a volunteer group.
According to an eyewitness, the boat capsized during a trip between two villages for a wedding ceremony, with 12 individuals unaccounted for. Social media images and videos depict rescue efforts by volunteers using small boats along the river, with local residents gathered along the Nile’s banks to monitor the search.
This tragedy comes shortly after another ferry sank in northern Sudan, claiming the lives of 21 people. The Sudan Doctors Network has urged authorities to inspect all river vessels, enforce safety measures, and provide necessary life-saving equipment to prevent similar incidents.
In Sudan, where bridges are limited, accidents involving overloaded traditional wooden boats are common, especially during flood seasons. Civil defence authorities have repeatedly cautioned about the risks associated with these boats.
