A boating accident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on June 10 has resulted in the deaths of over 80 individuals. The vessel, traveling to the capital, Kinshasa, capsized on the Kwa River in Mai-Ndombe province, around 43 miles away from the closest city of Mushie.
The incident was announced by President Felix Tshisekedi, who extended his condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. A statement from the president urged an investigation to determine the real causes of the accident and prevent a future recurrence. The president also instructed authorities to provide immediate assistance to the impacted parties.
The governor of Mai-Ndombe province, Rita Bola Dula, attributed the accident to night sailing. “We are in the process of extracting the survivors and other bodies,” Dula informed Reuters. Investigations are ongoing to pinpoint the exact reasons behind the accident.
The vessel, which was carrying 271 passengers, capsized late on Monday due to an engine failure. It then struck the river bank and broke apart. As per Ren Maker, the water commissioner in the Mushie district, 86 passengers perished while 185 were able to swim to shore.
The incident underscores the frequent problem of lethal boat accidents in the DRC, where boats are often loaded beyond their capacity. The country, located in central Africa, has few paved roads. As a result, many citizens use river travel to navigate the expansive, forest-covered territory.
In recent times, overloading has been a significant contributor to many boat accidents in the DRC. Just in February, dozens of people died when an overloaded boat sank. To address this, Congolese officials have frequently cautioned against such practices and promised to enforce safety regulations for water transportation.
The government reiterated the president’s condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, emphasizing the importance of preventive actions. With the country in mourning over the loss of so many lives, the focus now turns to preventing similar accidents in the future.
Efforts are in progress to aid the survivors and support the families affected by this tragedy. Local authorities are working non-stop to recover and identify the bodies of the victims. “We are committed to uncovering the true causes of this incident and ensuring the safety of river travel in our province,” affirmed Governor Dula.
The geographical and infrastructural challenges in the DRC necessitate river travel for many residents. However, the regular occurrence of such accidents raises important concerns about safety standards and regulatory enforcement.
