At least 26 people have been confirmed dead in Niger state of northern Nigeria after a wooden boat they were travelling in capsized in a dam on Sunday.

The boat was carrying over 100 passengers, including women and children, who reside in the settlements between Jebba and Kainji dam in the Mokwa area of the state, before it hit a reservoir.

More than 30 people have been rescued.

The spokesperson to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said a combined rescue operation by marine police and local divers in collaboration with Niger State Emergency Management Agency is ongoing.

While the cause of the accident is currently unknown, Ibrahim blamed the boats capsizing on overcrowding and lack of life jackets.

Most of the passengers, according to official accounts, were going across the dam to work on their farms.

One of the deadliest such tragedies in recent years occurred in June when an overcrowded boat headed to the Niger state crashed when a section of the vessel collapsed and water flooded the boat, leading to the death of over 100 people.