Nigerian bridal party's canoe capsizes; 26 killed

updated 5:46 p.m. ET April 1, 2008

KANO, Nigeria - A large canoe packed with wedding revelers escorting a bride to her new husband capsized on a river in Nigeria, leaving at least 26 passengers dead, police said Tuesday.

Kano State police spokesman Baba Mohammed said three people survived the accident late Monday on a river in the northern state, while 26 bodies were recovered. With some 40 people believed onboard, about a dozen more were missing, he said. It was not known if the bride's body had been recovered.

About a dozen watercraft could be seen combing the river Tuesday in the vicinity of the accident. Townspeople said the canoe, which was carrying the bride to the home of her new husband, hit a tree submerged in the river, tumbling the passengers into the water.

Many Africans rely on water travel to reach destinations unreachable by road. But boats are often packed beyond capacity by captains seeking to maximize profits, and accidents are common.

More from msnbc.com What do you remember? Take our weekly quiz ‘Three Cups of Tea’ advice for Obama Will nuclear fusion fade ... or finally flare? World Cup or world stage? N. Korea on display Afghanistan's dogs of war sniff out mines On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM WORLD NEWS

World news Section Front

NYT: Similarities to Iraq surge mask Afghan risks Italian court convicts Amanda Knox   Russian nightclub fire kills 103 NYT: Wider Pakistan drone use OK'd 17 kids among dozens killed in Pakistan attack U.S. Marines launch major Afghan offensive Gates signs Afghan troop surge orders Philippines arrests clan chief in massacre probe Bangladesh passenger boat capsizes; 47 dead 13 die in drug shootout near Mexico border World news Section Front   Add World news headlines to your news reader: