Kinshasa, Congo – A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday when an overcrowded boat overturned on a river in central Congo, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 individuals, including children, while many others remain unaccounted for, according to local officials and residents.
The boat, which is thought to have carried over 100 passengers, departed from the town of Inongo, located northeast of Kinshasa. It capsized shortly after setting sail on the Fimi River, marking yet another heartbreaking maritime disaster in the region.
Search efforts for the missing individuals commenced hours after the incident as worries intensified that the number of casualties may rise significantly. “There was overloading at roof level, and as for the deceased, at least 25 bodies have been recovered up to this point,” stated David Kalemba, the local river commissioner in Inongo.
According to Alex Mbumba, a local resident, the capsized boat was also transporting goods at the time of the accident. He mentioned, “Among the deceased are children, but providing an accurate count is challenging as the boat was carrying many passengers.”
This incident marks the fourth boat capsizing this year within the Maï-Ndombe province, a region heavily reliant on river transport due to being surrounded by waterways.
Despite ongoing warnings from Congolese officials regarding overloading and pledges to take action against those who flout safety regulations, such measures often go unheeded in remote areas where many people cannot afford the limited public transportation options available on the sparse roadways.
Earlier in October, a separate incident in the eastern part of the country resulted in the drowning of at least 78 people, while a tragic accident in June claimed the lives of 80 more near Kinshasa.
The recent disaster has reignited demands for the government to provide the province with flotation devices to enhance safety. Mbumba emphasized, “The government must take steps to ensure safer navigation in our province as the current conditions are perilous.”
The rising incidents of overloaded boat capsizing are becoming increasingly alarming in this central African nation, where many are turning away from the limited road options in favor of wooden vessels that often struggle to accommodate their heavy loads due to safety concerns.
Many roads are fraught with danger since they are frequently caught in violent confrontations between Congolese security forces and rebel groups that block essential access routes. Hundreds have either perished or been reported missing in maritime accidents this year alone.