A boat carrying mourners returning from a funeral capsized in a storm in the west African nation of Togo, killing at least 36 people, while some swam to save themselves, officials said.
The accident occurred on Lake Togo in the country's southeast on Sunday as at least one boat was carrying the passengers home after they attended a funeral in the village of Ekpui. Heavy winds caused the boat to overturn.
'We have recorded 36 deaths, including 20 students,' said Akouete Edan, a local official in the Lakes district near the site of the accident.
Local media also reported that several boats had overturned in the incident some 40 km east of the capital Lome.
'There were a total of seven boats, including one main one transporting the largest number,' the police source said, adding that the accident occurred at around 4.30pm and also providing a death toll of at least 36.
'The six others were small skiffs. We don't know how many people were on board the boats and searches are continuing.'
One survivor who did not give his name said he swam for some 30 minutes to escape and claimed that three of his children died.
'Most of the survivors swam,' he said. 'Those who knew how to swim saved others.'
Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo visited the morgue where the bodies were taken as well as the village of Agbodankope, where most victims were from and were headed. Earlier reports indicated they were from the neighbouring village of Togo-Kome.
The large lake - technically a lagoon - is located near the country's coast and the Gulf of Guinea, which leads to the Atlantic Ocean.
Boats are used as an affordable means of transport in the area of the impoverished nation of some 6.6 million people.
