A deadly river accident has killed at least 21 people in northern Sudan’s River Nile State. The incident occurred late Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, when a traditional wooden ferry carrying about 30 passengers capsized while crossing the Nile River near Shendi. Local authorities and the Sudan Doctors Network confirmed the rising death toll on Thursday, noting that the recovered victims include 16 women and five men. Rescue operations are ongoing, as a number of passengers are still missing.
The Accident: Big Waves and Fragile Structures
The boat, traveling between the villages of Tayba Al-Khawad and Deim Al-Qarai in the Shendi locality, was reportedly hit by high waves. Witness accounts show the vessel was an overloaded traditional wooden boat, a frequently used but dangerous means of transport in rural Sudan.
- Casualties: 21 bodies recovered, about 6–8 survivors reported.
- Victims: The onboard passengers include many women, children, and elders, according to reports.
- The Status: Civil defense teams from the capital, Khartoum, have been deployed to aid local divers in the search for those who are still missing.
A System Under Strain
The death has infuriated local medical groups and advocacy networks. The Sudan Doctors Network released a devastating statement after the fact that included a reference to the “fragility of river transport” and absence of essential safety checks.
“This horrific humanitarian emergency clearly demonstrates the complete absence of local authorities and civil defense rescue teams during the early hours of the incident, which further widened the scope of the catastrophe,” the group said.
The event highlights a wider crisis in Sudan’s infrastructure. As the country faces a violent conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that has lasted for almost three years, upkeep of public transport systems and building bridges has been stymied. Many residents in rural areas depend on privately owned, unregulated single-engine boats to travel the Nile.
Narrative of the Nile Accidents Historical Context
Sudanese river accidents, unfortunately, are also very common. A similar disaster in 2018 saw 22 school children drown when their boat sank in the Nile. Authorities have often advised against using rudimentary wooden vessels during high-wave periods or flood seasons, but the absence of other means of transport makes it impossible for locals to disregard this warning.
The Sudanese Sovereign Council pledged its condolences to the family members of the victims, while organizers have urged prompt regulatory reform to protect people in these “preventable disasters” from happening again.
