At least 22 school children drown after boat sinks in northern Sudan

At least 22 school children drowned on Wednesday when a boat carrying more than 40 people sank while crossing the Nile in northern Sudan, according to official state media. 

Civil defence forces were searching the waters for the missing passengers, but had not recovered the bodies, the SUNA news agency reported. A female hospital employee also drowned.

The boat's engine failed in a high current while it was crossing the river to a school in Kabna, a small village in northern Sudan, according to local reports.

Villagers in the region rely on wooden boats to cross the Nile.

A witness told AFP by telephone that the boat had been crossing the river against the current.

"All the families (in the area) are in mourning," added the witness, who did not want to be named.