A boat accident on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 78 lives, with dozens missing, local officials said Thursday.
The boat, carrying 278 passengers, was en route from Minova in South Kivu to Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
It capsized near the village of Mukwidja in Kalehe territory earlier on Thursday, according to South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi.
Purusi confirmed that 78 bodies have been recovered, and they have been transported to Goma’s general hospital morgue.
Search efforts by marines, Red Cross teams, and Doctors Without Borders are ongoing for those still unaccounted for.
The governor said the boat was overloaded with passengers and goods and sank after being struck by a violent wave.
President Felix Tshisekedi expressed his condolences and ordered an investigation into the accident, in which 58 people were rescued.
Boat accidents are frequent in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where poor road infrastructure makes water transport essential.
These accidents often lead to significant loss of life, with overloading and poor safety regulations contributing to the tragedies.
