Seven people have died in a boat accident in a village in Somalia's southern Lower Shabelle region.

The accident happened while the boat was transporting people from Afgoye town to Awdhigley town.

A resident of Raqiley village told the media the boat with 20 people on board had capsized while approaching the village.

Several people managed to swim ashore, while others were rescued.

The resident said seven people had gone missing, and it was later confirmed they had drowned.

The deputy district commissioner of Lower Shabelle, Abdifatah Hajji Abdulle, said investigations into the cause of the accident had already commenced.