In Nigeria, boat capsize on river Niger leaves 100 people dead

The incident happened early Monday on the Niger River in central Nigeria.

More than 100 people died in an accident on the Niger River on Monday morning after the boat capsized.

Eyewitnesses told Al Jazeera the boat was carrying wedding guests returning to Kwara state from a ceremony in nearby Niger state, both in central Nigeria.

Al Jazeera correspondent Ahmed Idris reporting from Abuja said the boat hit something in the water and then capsized.

Search and rescue operations have been underway since Monday, Idris said.

Police have yet to confirm how many people died or how many were on board the boat, which was reportedly overloaded.

Similar accidents have happened in the past in the area close to the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers.

This is an evolving story. More details to follow.