A tragic boat accident occurred over the weekend on the Lukeni River in western Congo, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and leaving hundreds missing.
Local officials revealed the details of the incident on Tuesday.
This marks yet another devastating boat tragedy in Congo, where overloading is a recurring cause. In June, an overloaded vessel near the capital sank, leading to the deaths of 80 passengers, highlighting a persistent issue.
The recent disaster involved a motorized wooden boat carrying around 300 passengers at night.
The vessel collided with a submerged barge, according to Kutu territory administrator Jacques Nzenza Mongie at a press briefing.
As of Tuesday, search operations uncovered 20 bodies, Mongie reported.
Additionally, 46 passengers were rescued, while the whereabouts of hundreds remain unknown. Authorities continue to search for the missing individuals.
Congo has regulations against nighttime navigation, yet such violations persist.
Gov. Lebon Nkoso Kevan of Maï-Ndombe province stated that a commission is investigating the accident to determine accountability.
