Over 20 dead after boat capsizes in Mali

More than 20 dead bodies were recovered from the River Niger, Mali after a boat capsized near Konna whilst en route to Timbuktu.

The vessel, which is claimed to having been overloaded with goods and around 400 passengers, broke at the stern at an intersection of the river. While 200 people survived the accident, authorities are still unclear on the number of people still missing. Witnesses say the majority of the passengers were school children going north for the new scholastic year.

Spread over 4,000km, the Niger connects landlocked Mali's dry north with the country's south. Due to poor roads and high cost of land travel, Malians often travel the river using canoes and small boats.

Commander Dramane Diallo of the rescue services told news agencies an investigation is under way.