The Democratic Republic of Congo witnessed a tragic maritime disaster over the weekend, resulting in the loss of at least 20 lives, including a baby.
An overcrowded motorized boat, carrying approximately 300 passengers and cargo, sank in the Lukenie River in the Kutu area of Mai-Ndombe province.
According to local authorities, the vessel was severely overloaded and struck a wooden object while en route to Nioki, leading to its demise.
The incident occurred overnight between Saturday and Sunday, with Kutu district administrator Jacques Nzenza confirming the details to AFP.
“Yesterday we found four bodies, and today 16 more were retrieved, including a nine-month-old baby,” he said, adding that the search was continuing.
River and lake voyages are common in the vast central African country where passable roads are scarce.
“We are constantly reminding everyone that it is forbidden to sail at night because it is very dangerous,” Nzenza said.
At least 25 people died in July when a boat on the Congo River sank in the eastern province of Maniema. About 100 died in 2019 in a wreck on Lake Kivu.
AFP
