At least 21 people have died after a boat sank in Sudan’s River Nile

At least 21 people have died after a passenger boat sank in Sudan’s River Nile State in the north of the country.

The boat was travelling between two villages carrying nearly 30 passengers, including women, children, and elderly people, according to the Sudan Doctors Network.

 

Eyewitnesses say the boat capsized on Wednesday evening in the Shendi area due to high waves.

 

A spokesperson for the medical group, Dr Mohamed Faisal Hassan, told the BBC that rescue teams are still searching the area, warning that more bodies could yet be recovered.

 

Authorities have confirmed that 21 bodies have been retrieved so far, while reports indicate that six people survived the incident.

The Sudan Doctors Network has called on government officials to deploy specialised rescue equipment and strengthen safety measures on river transport.

The group says the tragedy highlights the fragile state of river travel in Sudan, where traditional boats are widely used, especially in rural communities where bridges remain scarce.

Sudan has recorded several similar accidents in recent years, as weak regulation and limited safety standards continue to pose risks on the River Nile.