A ferry boat attempting to dock after dark on the Niger River struck submerged rocks and sank near the town of Diré in northern Mali, leaving at least 38 people dead, according to local officials and community members. Authorities have yet to issue an official toll, but survivors and regional leaders say dozens of passengers – including women and children – were trapped as the vessel went down. 

Conflicting early counts, but heavy loss of life confirmed

Alkaidi Touré, a former National Assembly deputy from the region, said on Tuesday that 38 bodies had been recovered and 23 people survived.

Diré resident Moussa Ag Almoubarek Traoré, who lost 21 members of his extended family, said he worked alongside local responders to locate and count the dead.

“I collected the bodies that were scattered across the river, and some were already decomposing. As I speak to you now, I can still smell the bodies,” Traoré told The Associated Press.

The ferry was carrying farmers and families returning from rice fields when it arrived after nightfall. Docking during the night is prohibited in the area because of frequent attacks by militants linked to al-Qaida, witnesses said.

Despite the restrictions, Traoré said the boat operator attempted to land at an alternative spot to avoid waiting until morning. The vessel hit rocks as it approached the bank and sank rapidly.

Long-running insecurity complicates travel

Mali, home to around 25 million people, has grappled with insurgencies for years, alongside neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. Fighters from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaida-affiliated organisation, operate across the Timbuktu region, heightening risks for civilian movement after dark.

Deadly accidents common, but toll unusually severe

River transport remains vital across northern Mali, where road access is limited. Accidents on the Niger River occur frequently, though comprehensive records are scarce. Local leaders said the scale of Thursday’s disaster stands out.

“The entire region of Timbuktu is in mourning, because this accident has had a profound impact on the population, as many women and children drowned,” Touré said.

(With inputs from AP)