More than 80 people have lost their lives after a boat they were traveling on capsized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on June 10. The accident occurred on the Kwa River, near Mushie in Mai-Ndombe province, approximately 43 miles from the city.
President Felix Tshisekedi announced the accident and expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. “The President of the Republic is calling for an investigation into the true causes of this incident to prevent such a disaster from happening again in the future,” said a statement from the presidency, posted on X. The statement also mentioned that the president directed authorities to take immediate measures to assist those affected.
Rita Bola Dula, the governor of Mai-Ndombe province, revealed that night sailing caused the accident. “We are in the process of extracting the survivors and other bodies,” Dula told Reuters. Investigations are continuing to determine the exact reasons behind the incident.
The boat, carrying 271 passengers, capsized late on Monday due to an engine failure. Subsequently, it hit the river bank and broke up. According to Ren Maker, the water commissioner in the Mushi district, 86 passengers died, while 185 managed to swim ashore.
This incident highlights the recurring issue of deadly boat accidents in the DRC, where vessels are frequently loaded well beyond their capacity. The central African country has few paved roads, and river travel is a common mode of transportation across its vast, forested territory.
In recent years, overloading has been a significant factor in many boat accidents in the DRC. In February, dozens of lives were lost after an overloaded boat sank. Congolese officials have often warned against such practices and have vowed to enforce safety measures for water transportation.
“The President sends his condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” the presidency’s statement continued, emphasizing the need for preventive measures. As the country mourns the loss of so many lives, the focus now shifts to ensuring that such incidents do not recur.
Efforts are underway to assist the survivors and support the affected families. The local authorities are working tirelessly to extract and identify the bodies of the victims. “We are committed to uncovering the true causes of this incident and ensuring the safety of river travel in our province,” Governor Dula stated.
The DRC’s geographical and infrastructural challenges make river travel necessary for many citizens. However, the frequency of such accidents raises critical questions about safety standards and regulatory measures.