KHARTOUM, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the ferry accident in River Nile State of northern Sudan has climbed to at least 21, local authorities announced on Thursday.
"Twenty-one bodies have been recovered from the boat that sank on Wednesday," the River Nile State government said in a brief statement.
It added that search operations for missing persons are ongoing, with civil defense teams continuing rescue efforts.
An eyewitness from the area told Xinhua that the boat was carrying more than 30 passengers.
"Among the recovered bodies are 16 women and five men, while eight passengers were rescued," the eyewitness said.
The boat was traveling between Tayba Al-Khawad and Deim Al-Qarai villages, north of Shendi in River Nile State, when it capsized due to high waves, according to Sudan's civil defense authorities.
On Wednesday, the Sudan Doctors Network, a voluntary group, confirmed the incident and called on authorities to urgently dispatch specialized rescue teams and search-and-recovery equipment, and to take immediate measures to ensure river transport safety and prevent similar disasters that claim innocent lives.
Sudan frequently experiences accidents involving traditional boats, which are used to cross the Nile due to the limited number of bridges connecting its two banks, especially in villages and rural areas.
Sudan's civil defense authorities have warned of the dangers of traveling in rudimentary wooden boats, particularly during flood seasons, to prevent drowning accidents that have caused significant loss of life in recent years. ■