A tragic incident occurred in the Ivory Coast when a boat carrying 14 passengers was overturned by a rogue hippopotamus, resulting in 11 people, including children and an infant, being reported missing. The incident took place on the Sassandra River in the southwestern town of Buyo on a recent Friday morning.
The West African country’s Minister of Cohesion and Solidarity, Myss Belmonde Dogo, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a statement, Dogo confirmed that only three passengers have been accounted for so far. The ages of the passengers involved in the accident have not been disclosed.
The minister also stated that search and rescue operations are ongoing in an effort to locate the missing individuals. The Ivorian government has expressed its solidarity with the survivors and the families of the missing, deeply distressed by the tragic event.
Hippopotamuses, despite their seemingly docile nature, are known to be the most common cause of animal attacks resulting in injuries or fatalities in the Ivory Coast. According to a 2022 study by local researchers, there are approximately 500 hippos residing in the country, primarily in the southern rivers.
These massive creatures, second only to elephants in size among land mammals, can weigh up to 7,000 pounds and measure 11 feet in length and approximately 5 feet in height. Their deceptive appearance belies their potential for aggression and danger.
This is not the first time a hippopotamus has caused such a tragedy. In May 2023, a similar incident occurred in Malawi, where a child lost their life and over 20 villagers went missing after a hippo capsized their boat.