ABUJA, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 bodies have been recovered while dozens of others are still missing after a passenger boat carrying about 50 people capsized in Nigeria's northern state of Sokoto, local authorities said Monday.

Aminu Liman Bodinga, head of the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, told Xinhua via telephone that at least 10 people had been rescued following the mishap on Sunday afternoon in the Goronyo local government area.

The wooden boat was heading to a local market in Goronyo when the tragedy occurred. "This might have been caused by overloading," Bodinga said, citing preliminary investigation.

Late Sunday, the National Emergency Management Agency said in a statement that more than 40 people were missing. Rescuers, including local divers and volunteers, have joined the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

Boat accidents are common in Nigeria, often due to overloading, poor safety practices, and bad weather. ■