At Least 193 Dead in Two Boat Accidents in Northwestern Congo

Kinshasa, Sep 13: Two separate boat accidents in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo have caused at least 193 deaths and many people are still missing, state and humanitarian sources reported. The incidents occurred on Wednesday and Thursday in the Equateur province.

Details of Accidents

In one tragedy near Lukolela territory on Thursday, a whaleboat near Malange village, carrying nearly 500 passengers, caught fire and capsized. About 209 survivors were rescued from that accident. The day before, a motorised boat capsized in Basankusu territory killing at least 86 people, many of them students.

Causes & Contributing Factors

Authorities said overloading and navigating at night were major causes in the Lukolela accident. Many such boats are wooden and not built for safety; life jackets and proper safety gear are rare. Poor maintenance, bad weather, and weak oversight are recurring problems.

Rescue Efforts & Missing Persons

Rescue operations are underway amid challenging conditions. Dozens have been rescued but many remain missing. In both incidents, local media and civil society groups say casualty figures might increase due to these remote locations and lack of clear passenger records.

Larger Context & Safety Concerns

Water travel in this region is heavily used due to limited road infrastructure, but the risks are high. Boat accidents are common due to overcrowding, night navigation without lights, lack of regulations, and substandard vessels under strain. Authorities have repeatedly called for stronger safety enforcement and better infrastructure.

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Source: Daily Excelsior / Agencies (Read original)

Labels: DR Congo, Boat Accidents, Human Tragedy, Safety Concerns

Tags: #DRC #BoatAccident #Casualties #Safety #International

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