An overloaded wooden motorized boat capsized in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday, resulting in at least four deaths.
The accident occurred on the Kwango River, a tributary of the Congo River in the southwestern Kwango Province. Deputy Governor Remy Saki confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing under challenging conditions.
“Four bodies have been recovered, and approximately 40 individuals are still missing,” Saki said. He added that 79 people had survived the incident.
Village chief Jean-Baptiste Nkololo reported that the vessel struck a bridge before sinking. Passengers estimated that around 150 people were on board at the time of the accident.
The DRC’s poor road infrastructure often forces residents to rely on boats for transportation and goods. Boat capsizes are a frequent issue in the region.
In late July, another boat capsized on the Congo River in Maniema Province, claiming 25 lives. A similar incident in 2019 resulted in about 100 fatalities.
