At least six persons have been killed and 12 others are still missing in a boat mishap in Nigeria’s northwestern Kebbi State, officials said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Abubakar Dakingari, a spokesman for the state government, said the incident occurred when two canoes collided late Tuesday on the River Niger.

“Two canoes were carrying more than 78 passengers. Six persons have been confirmed dead while 12 are still missing and over 60 were rescued,” Dakingari said.

Dodo Sani, head of the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the incident and death toll to Anadolu Agency.

Boat mishaps are notorious in many riverine areas of the country, with experts blaming operators for not adhering to safety rules such as embargo on night travels.

Last September, 53 people were killed in a similar mishap on River Niger. (Anadolu Agency)