Tragic Capsizing of Passenger Boat in Sudan Leads to Loss of Lives

Fri Feb 13 2026 04:41:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A devastating incident in River Nile state, Sudan, results in at least 21 deaths as a passenger boat capsizes amidst high waves. Eyewitness accounts and rescue efforts highlight the urgent need for improved safety standards in river transportation.

At least 21 people have died following the sinking of a passenger boat on the River Nile in northern Sudan. The boat, carrying nearly 30 passengers, capsized due to high waves. Rescue teams are still searching for additional victims, with calls for authorities to enhance river transport safety in light of frequent accidents. Eyewitnesses reported the tragedy occurring in the Shendi area, revealing systemic issues in safety regulation of river transportation in the region.

Tragic Capsizing of Passenger Boat in Sudan Leads to Loss of Lives

A devastating incident in River Nile state, Sudan, has resulted in at least 21 fatalities after a passenger boat sank in the river. Reports from the Sudan Doctors Network indicate that the boat was en route between the villages of Tayba al-Khawad and Deim al-Qarai, carrying nearly 30 people, including vulnerable groups such as women and children.

Eyewitnesses attributed the capsizing to high waves in the area on Wednesday evening. Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan of the Sudan Doctors Network stated that rescue efforts are ongoing, with concerns that more bodies might be recovered.

Officials from the River Nile state confirmed to AFP that 21 bodies had been found so far. Six survivors have also been reported.

The medical group has called for specialized rescue teams and equipment to expedite the search and rescue efforts. They emphasized the urgent need for authorities to implement immediate measures to enhance river transport safety, thereby preventing such tragedies in the future.

Dr. Hassan highlighted the lack of effective regulation in the river transport sector and pointed out that many boats operating on the Nile are privately owned. This situation, along with inadequate safety measures, has contributed to ongoing accidents.

Sudan's ongoing conflicts, particularly the brutal fighting since April 2023, have strained resources and disrupted basic services. While River Nile State has not been a frontline area, the wider instability has impacted infrastructure and resource availability in the region.

As traditional boats remain a primary mode of transport across the Nile, especially in rural settings where bridges are scarce, this tragic incident underscores the necessity for urgent reforms in safety standards for river transportation in Sudan.