Two separate boat accidents in the Democratic Republic of Congo this week have resulted in at least 193 fatalities, according to authorities on Friday. These incidents occurred in the northwestern Equateur province, with locations around 150 kilometers (93 miles) apart, on Wednesday and Thursday.
The first accident took place on Thursday when a boat, carrying nearly 500 passengers, caught fire and capsized while traveling on the Congo River near Malange village in Lukolela territory. The Ministry of Social Affairs reported that 209 survivors had been rescued, but 146 people were still missing. The boat, which drifted downstream as it burned, ended up destroying its cargo and igniting 15 homes along the riverbank. The search and rescue operations, involving naval personnel and local volunteers, were still underway on Friday.
The second incident occurred a day earlier on Wednesday, at the confluence of the Nsolo and Great Maringa rivers in Basankusu territory. State media reported that at least 86 people, mostly students, died after a motorized boat capsized. Several individuals remained unaccounted for, although the exact number was unclear. Eight survivors were rescued by local residents. This accident was attributed to “improper loading and night navigation,” which is strictly prohibited, according to civil society activist Akula Mboyo.
Boat accidents are a recurring issue in the Congo, where river transport serves as a crucial mode of travel, particularly in regions with limited public infrastructure. These often involve old, poorly maintained, and overloaded vessels used to travel between remote villages. Efforts to tackle these incidents are hindered by limited resources, remote locations, and the frequency of night voyages, which are officially prohibited.
Last year, another boat carrying hundreds of passengers sank in Lake Kivu, leading to at least 78 deaths.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/dr-congo-boat-accidents-leave-over-190-dead-scores-missing/a-73982266?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
