File photo shows rescuers work at the site of a boat accident in Lagos, Nigeria, March 12, 2014. (Xinhua/Zhang Weiyi)

ABUJA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-one people were confirmed killed after a boat capsized in Nigeria's northwestern state of Sokoto, local authorities said on Friday.

Responders recovered the bodies of 17 women and four children on board the overloaded boat, which capsized due to strong waves in Gida Kare district of the state on Thursday, the National Emergency Management Agency said.

An investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the boat.

The boat was carrying at least 50 passengers at the time of the incident.

The 29 other victims were able to make it to shore during a rescue operation, said Suleiman Karim, a NEMA personnel.

One other official said a 1-year-old child was among the dead victims.

The victims of the boat accident were all internally displaced persons (IDPs) returning to their village in Gidan Kare after they were attacked recently by gunmen, according to the local Daily Trust newspaper.</s>A boat overloaded with passengers in northern Nigeria has capsized, killing 21 people, according to the state rescue agency.

The boat with an estimated 50 passengers on board overturned in strong currents in a river in the Gandi district of Sokoto state on Thursday, Suleiman Karim of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told AFP news agency.

"Rescue teams recovered the bodies of 17 women and four children on board the overloaded boat which capsized due to strong waves," he said.

He said the other 29 passengers were lucky to make it to the shore.

The passengers were heading to Garin Kare village on the other side of the river to check on their homes, which they deserted following deadly attacks last month by suspected cattle thieves in neighbouring villages.

Thousands of the villagers fled to a makeshift camp after the bandits' attack, in which 32 people were killed and dozens of homes razed.

Boat capsizes are common in Nigeria due to overcrowding and the lack of maintenance for vessels, particularly during the annual rainy season.

In July, 22 traders were killed after their boat capsized in high winds in the Isa district of Sokoto state following a heavy downpour.

Passenger boats in Nigeria, especially in more remote areas, are often poorly maintained and sometimes incapable of navigating rough waters.

But operators with narrow profit margins typically try to put on board an excessive number of passengers to boost income.</s>NIGERIA: Twenty-one people were killed when their boat capsized in an area wracked by deadly attacks blamed on cattle thieves in northern Nigeria, the emergency services said Friday.

The vessel carrying 50 passengers overturned in strong currents in a river in the Gandi district of Sokoto state around 10:00 am (0900 GMT) on Thursday, Suleiman Karim of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told AFP.

"Rescue teams recovered the bodies of 17 women and four children on board the overloaded boat which capsized due to strong waves," he said.

He said the other 29 passengers were lucky to make it to the shore.

The passengers were heading to Garin Kare village on the other side of the river to check on their homes, which they deserted following deadly raids last month by suspected cattle thieves on neighbouring villages.

Thousands of the villagers fled to a makeshift camp in Gandi town after the bandits' attack, in which 32 people were killed and dozens of homes burnt.

Boat capsizes are common in Nigeria due to overcrowding and the lack of maintenance for vessels, particularly during the annual rainy season.

Last month, 22 traders were killed after their boat capsized in high winds in the Isa district of Sokoto state following a heavy downpour.</s>It has been reported that as many as 21 persons have drowned after a boat mishap in Sokoto.

The sad incident reportedly took place on a river in Gandi community in Rabah local government area of Sokoto state today, August 2.

Local reports show that more bodies are are believed to be in the river at the moment as divers continue to search. The remains of the recovered bodies have being prepared for burial.

The unfortunate incident has pinged the community in deep sorrow.

Below are more photos of the deceased persons:

Stay updated with the latest Nigerian news from Information Nigeria</s>Twenty-one persons were killed in Gandi District, Sokoto State, when a boat conveying 50 passengers capsized on Thursday.

29 other passengers were lucky to make it to the shore alive.

Suleiman Karim of the National Emergency Management Agency said the vessel which was overloaded overturned in strong currents in a river in Gandi.

Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of 17 women and four children on board the boat.

The passengers were heading to Garin Kare village on the other side of the river to check on their homes, which they deserted following deadly raids by suspected cattle rustlers last month.
21 people are killed after a boat capsizes in Nigeria's northwestern state of Sokoto.