President Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic has declared a national period of mourning lasting three days in remembrance of the victims of a tragic river boat accident, deemed one of the nation’s deadliest incidents.
Following the capsizing of a vessel on the Mpoko River in the capital city of Bangui last Friday, authorities confirmed the recovery of 58 bodies. The boat had been ferrying passengers to the funeral of a village chief, with eyewitnesses and social media footage indicating that over 300 individuals were aboard, some standing.
Search efforts are ongoing, and there remains a possibility of the provisional death toll increasing.
A presidential decree aired on state radio on Monday announced the three-day national mourning period to honor the memory of the victims of this sorrowful event.
The incident occurred shortly after departure when the flat-bottomed “whaler” boat succumbed to the weight of its passengers.
In response, the government spokesperson announced on Saturday that an inquiry would be launched to ascertain the causes and any culpability. Additionally, measures will be put in place to provide support for the families of the victims.
Videos circulating on social media depict individuals attempting to swim to safety, while others were rescued by fishermen using pirogues and nearby sand dredgers prior to the arrival of official rescue teams.
River transportation serves as a vital means of travel within the Central African Republic, given the inadequate condition of its road infrastructure. However, vessels like the whaler boat, prevalent in central Africa, are often in a state of disrepair, overcrowded, and utilized for both passenger and cargo transport.
This tragic event echoes a similar catastrophe in 2015 when a river barge, engulfed in flames following an engine explosion, resulted in the disappearance of 100 individuals in the Ubangi River.
The United Nations ranks the Central African Republic as the world’s second least-developed country. Despite a decrease in intensity since 2018, the nation continues to grapple with sporadic violence stemming from rebel factions and disputes over its abundant natural resources, including gold and diamonds.
