Shipwreck: thirteen dead at the border between Benin and Niger
A tragedy occurred on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, on the Niger River, marking the border between Benin and Niger. A canoe, mainly carrying Nigerien nationals, capsized between the cities of Gaya (Niger) and Malanville (Benin), resulting in the death of thirteen people.
Le fleuve Niger Photo: Club des voyages
Searches are still underway to find any potential missing persons. The exact number of passengers remains unknown, but several survivors have been rescued, confirmed local sources on Thursday, June 26.
A Crossing That Has Become Perilous
Since the closure of the Gaya bridge by the Nigerien authorities two years ago, the Niger River has become the only crossing point between the inhabitants of the two neighboring countries. This closure was motivated by diplomatic tensions: Niamey accuses Cotonou of harboring French military forces.
The closure of the borders forced people to resort to the river path, often in precarious conditions. Canoe crossings have become commonplace, despite the risks. Overloaded, poorly maintained, and poorly secured, these boats remain the main means of transport for the riverside populations, in search of mobility or cross-border trade.
While the exact causes of the shipwreck remain to be determined, this tragedy once again highlights the fragility of the connections between the two countries and the urgency of stricter regulation of river crossings. So far, the Beninese and Nigerien authorities have not officially responded.