At least 21 people have died after a passenger boat sank in River Nile state in northern Sudan, a medical group has told the BBC.
The boat was travelling between the villages of Tayba al-Khawad and Deim al-Qarai, carrying nearly 30 passengers, including women, elderly people, and children, as reported by the Sudan Doctors Network.
Rescue teams are continuing with their work since there could be more bodies, said Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan, the network's spokesperson.
Authorities in River Nile state stated that 21 bodies had been recovered so far, according to AFP news agency.
Witnesses reported that the boat capsized due to high waves in the Shendi area on Wednesday evening.
Earlier, the medical group stated that six individuals had survived the incident.
The group has called for authorities to deploy specialized rescue teams and equipment to enhance search efforts.
It also urged immediate measures to ensure river transport safety and prevent further tragedies that take innocent lives.
This painful humanitarian tragedy once again reveals the fragility of river transport and the absence of basic safety requirements, it added.
Dr. Hassan indicated that poor regulation of river transport might have contributed to the disaster, noting that many boats on the Nile are privately owned, and authorities lack adequate regulatory systems and safety measurements.
Sudan experiences frequent accidents involving traditional boats, which are commonly used for crossing the Nile, especially in rural areas where bridges are scarce.
The country has been embroiled in a brutal conflict since April 2023, when violent clashes erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Though River Nile State has been largely spared from frontline conflicts, the overarching instability has strained resources and infrastructure nationwide.
