More than 100 people have died after a boat carrying people returning from a wedding ceremony capsized in a river in north-central Nigeria.

“The boat was carrying people from a wedding ceremony in Niger to Kwara state when it sank,” local police and the Kwara governor’s office said Tuesday, according to French news agency AFP.

“103 people died in the boat accident while more than 100 have been rescued,” police spokesman Okasanmi Ajayi told AFP by telephone.

Rescue work is still going on and the authorities fear more casualties.

A statement released by the Kwara State Governor’s Office said the victims were returning from a wedding ceremony in Patagi district of Kwara.

The governor has expressed regret over the boat accident and has extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives. The governor has been monitoring rescue operations since Monday night in search of possible survivors.’

Boat capsizing accidents are unfortunately common in Nigeria.

Last month, 15 children drowned in northwestern Sokoto state while they were on their way to collect firewood.

About a year ago, 29 children from a nearby village also lost their lives by drowning in the same river.

Last December, at least 76 people died when their boat capsized in the river during massive flooding in southeastern Anambra state during the rainy season.

Boats are common for transportation and trade in Nigeria.