At least 27 dead with dozens more missing after boat capsizes in northwest Congo

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A tragic incident unfolded in the northwest region of Congo as a boat, locally constructed, tragically capsized, resulting in the loss of at least 27 lives, with over 70 individuals still unaccounted for. This devastating event took place late on a Friday evening in the city of Mbandaka, situated within the Equateur Province, during the vessel’s journey carrying over 100 passengers along the Congo River to the town of Bolomba. Taylor Nganzi, the deputy provincial governor, relayed this grim news.

Nganzi reported, “To date, we have recovered the lifeless bodies of 27 victims from the water, and they have been transported to the morgue at the general hospital in Mbandaka.” He further indicated that an investigation has commenced to ascertain the precise cause of this tragic accident.

However, there exists a disparity in the reported death toll, a common occurrence in such incidents within Congo. The New Civil Society of Congo, a local civil society organization, asserted that 49 individuals lost their lives in this catastrophe, attributing it to an engine failure. Jean-Pierre Wangela, the group’s president, informed reporters, “The situation escalated as everything began to sink.”

This discrepancy in reported casualties remains unresolved at present.

In the midst of this calamity, volunteers have rallied alongside official rescue teams in their tireless search for survivors and recovery of the deceased. Meanwhile, grieving families are left to mourn the loss of their loved ones who were unfortunate victims of this tragedy.

Nganzi remarked, “We are overseeing the efforts to locate the deceased, in collaboration with river services, while providing support to the families affected by this devastating event.”

Boat accidents on the Congo River and within the nation’s lakes are regrettably frequent due to the prevalent use of makeshift vessels, often perilously overloaded. A significant portion of the population in the northwest region relies on river transportation due to inadequate road infrastructure and the cost-effectiveness of this mode of travel.

To mitigate such accidents, the Congolese government had imposed a nationwide ban on night travel, an initiative aimed at prevention, although it has been met with defiance by many.

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More about Boat Capsizing Congo Tragedy

• Boat Capsizing in Congo’s Northwest – Reuters
• Congo River Transportation – World Bank
• Safety Measures for River Travel – Congolese Government