At least 21 people have died after a passenger boat sank in River Nile state in northern Sudan, according to a medical group. The boat was travelling between the villages of Tayba al-Khawad and Deim al-Qarai, carrying nearly 30 passengers, including women, elderly people, and children, reported the Sudan Doctors Network. Rescue teams are continuing with their work, suggesting there may be more bodies to recover, stated Dr. Mohamed Faisal Hassan, a spokesperson for the network. Eyewitnesses mentioned that the boat capsized due to high waves on Wednesday evening in the Shendi area, and six people have reportedly survived the incident. Authorities in River Nile state confirmed that 21 bodies have been recovered. The medical group urged the government to deploy specialized rescue teams and equipment to expedite search efforts, also calling for immediate measures to enhance river transport safety to prevent future disasters. Dr. Hassan mentioned that weak regulation of river transport potentially contributed to this tragedy, noting that many boats operating on the Nile are privately owned, lacking proper safety measures and oversight. This incident underscores the ongoing dangers of using traditional boats for transportation across the Nile, especially given the scarcity of bridges in rural areas. The country is experiencing a brutal conflict since April 2023, exacerbating the fragility of the transportation infrastructure, despite River Nile State being relatively spared from frontline fighting.