afrol News, 31 March - At least 15 people have reportedly drowned after an overloaded canoe capsized in the River Sourou, about 300 kilometers west of the capital, Ouagadougou, at the border with Mali on Sunday, government official confirmed late last night.

The High Commissioner of a rural province of Sourou in Burkina Faso, Abdoulaye Bassinga, said 21 others managed to swim to safety after the canoe tipped over in the river. The overloaded canoe was reportedly ferrying its passengers to a local market.

Mr Bassinga said the canoe was packed with sacks of food, four cows, bicycles and mopeds on board, blaming the accident on the overloading.

The Sunday's incidence is the second in less than two weeks where people use the open-topped small wooden vessels that are a common means of transport in Africa, and are often overloaded with passengers and goods.

On 15 March, an overloaded canoe capsized on a reservoir in Burkina Faso, killing at least 15 women and children. The accident occurred in the village of Toesse, about 160 kilometers north of the capital, Ouagadougou.

Villagers were reportedly crossing the reservoir to attend a funeral.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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