Ferry Boat Tragedy Claims Dozens of Lives in Northern Mali
A devastating ferry boat accident has struck the town of Diré in northern Mali. The vessel sank in the Niger River, resulting in numerous fatalities. Local officials confirmed the tragic event on Tuesday, though it actually occurred last Thursday.
Details of the Catastrophic Incident
The ferry was attempting to land at Diré in the Timbuktu region when it collided with rocks and quickly sank. Witnesses reported that the boat carried families and farmers who had just completed their rice harvest. They arrived after nightfall, a time when docking is strictly prohibited due to security measures aimed at preventing attacks by al Qaida-linked militants in the area.
Moussa Ag Almoubarek Traoré, a resident of Diré, shared his harrowing experience. He lost twenty-one family members in the accident. Traoré assisted local officials in retrieving and counting 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," he told The Associated Press during a telephone interview.
Official and Unofficial Death Toll
Local authorities have not yet released an official death count. However, Alkaidi Touré, a regional resident and former National Assembly deputy, provided figures on Tuesday. He stated that thirty-eight people died, while twenty-three survived the sinking.
Traoré explained the probable cause of the disaster. The boat driver did not want to wait until morning. He attempted to come ashore at an alternative location, where the vessel struck rocks and sank.
Context of the Region and Recurring Accidents
Mali, with a population of twenty-five million, has been combating jihadi militants for several decades. This struggle involves neighboring countries Burkina Faso and Niger. Militants from the al-Qaida-backed Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) group remain active in the Timbuktu region of Mali.
Accidents involving ferry boats on the Niger River are not rare. Reliable statistics for such incidents are lacking. Nevertheless, the human cost of this particular accident is exceptionally high.
Alkaidi Touré emphasized the profound impact on the community. "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," he said.
The tragedy has left the region reeling, highlighting both the dangers of river travel and the ongoing security challenges in northern Mali.
