Boat capsize drowns 19 wedding guests in Nigeria: police

Nineteen wedding guests have been confirmed drowned after a boat carrying them capsized late Saturday in western Nigeria, local police said on Sunday.

The incident occurred when the victims, who were guests at a traditional wedding ceremony, were returning to their various homes, sailing across the River Niger, in Lafiagi area of the western state of Kwara.

The police and other sources said 21 passengers were on board the boat at the time of the capsize. Only two were rescued.

The bodies of the 19 victims were recovered by divers.

Ajayi Okasanmi, a spokesman for the police in Kwara, told Xinhua that the police and other security agencies have started an investigation to ascertain the cause of the mishap.