From Mali, CEOAFRICA.com gathered that rescue workers have recovered not less than 20 bodies after a boat carrying hundreds of passengers capsized on the River Niger at the weekend.

It was disclosed by sources that the vessel which was going to Timbuktu from Mopti, broke up near Konna with over 200 survivors, although it is not yet clear how many are missing.

According to officials, the boat was overloaded with good and may have carried as many as 400 passengers. Investigations have commenced to unravel reasons behind the overturning of the boat.

One of the survivors, Ibrahim Yattara, told our source that he was sleeping inside the boat with his pregnant wife when it capsized.

"With the excess weight it broke into two pieces. I started to swim and looked for my wife but after a while the boat was completely under water." He says his wife is still missing.

Officials have warned the death count may rise, as recovery operations continues.  

Many Malians opt to travel by water, often in rudimentary canoes, due to poor road conditions in the north.