Nigerian boat sinks in river, killing at least 42

Another 100 people are also missing

A boat has sunk in central Nigeria, killing 42 people with another 200 missing, according to emergency officials.

Spokesman Ibrahim Farinloye of the National Emergency Management Agency said the ferry was carrying traders to a weekly market at Malali village when the storm erupted on the Niger River.

He said that it was impossible to say how many people were on the boat, but initial indications were that about 200 passengers were missing.

Nigeria's rainy season often brings violent storms that can cause disasters in a country where there is little maintenance and corruption blights the construction of everything from buildings and boats to roads and dams.

PA