At least 58 people died when an overloaded boat capsized and broke apart on the Mpoko River in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, as confirmed by authorities on Saturday, April 20.
The incident occurred on Friday as the vessel, carrying over 300 passengers, was en route to a local funeral of a village chief.
Thomas Djimasse, head of the civil protection department, reported that the boat overturned shortly after departure. Rescue teams arrived at the scene about 40 minutes later, facing the daunting task of recovering bodies from the water. “Maurice Kapenya, who was following the overcrowded boat in a canoe, helped retrieve several bodies, including that of his own sister,” Djimasse shared during a press briefing.
The aftermath saw distraught family members lining the riverbanks, searching for any sign of their missing relatives. This incident sheds light on the persistent issues plaguing river transport in the area, notably the frequent overloading of boats and lack of maintenance.
Speaking to a news outlet, a witness said, “What just happened was terrifying, I know a family who’ve lost seven relatives in this tragedy.”
Government spokesperson Maxime Balalou indicated that while initial reports counted over 30 deaths, the number later rose to 58. He stressed the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent such disasters in the future.
The capsizing not only underscores the dangers of inadequate river transport infrastructure but also highlights the ongoing struggles of the Central African Republic with poverty and unrest. Despite past interventions by international forces, the nation remains among the least developed globally.
Efforts are ongoing to determine the cause of the capsizing, with local and international agencies supporting the affected families. Several injured were transported to the nearest community hospital by locals, who used motorbike taxis to speed up the evacuation process.
