At least 20 dead, several missing after boat capsizes in northwestern Congo

KINSHASA, Congo —
At least 20 people have died, and several remain missing after a tragic boat capsized in northwestern Congo, as reported by local residents.

The boat, which tragically capsized on Lake Maï-Ndombe on Thursday, was ferrying passengers to the capital city of Kinshasa. Among the passengers was a newly ordained Catholic deacon, as mentioned in a statement released by the local Diocese on Friday.

Emmanuel Bola, a resident of Inongo, shared via telephone with The Associated Press on Saturday that the boat was en route from Kiri to Kinshasa when the devastating incident occurred between the villages of Bobeni and Lobeke around 8 p.m. Thursday night.

While an official death toll has not been released by the Congolese government, Governor Kevani Nkoso of Maï-Ndombe province mentioned on national TV that they are awaiting updates from the field teams regarding the casualties and survivors.

The frequency of boat capsizings in the central African nation is on the rise, with more individuals opting for cheaper wooden vessels over the limited road infrastructure. These vessels are often unable to bear the weight of passengers and cargo, leading to tragic accidents.

Life jackets are scarce on these journeys, and the boats are typically overloaded, further increasing the risks. Many of these trips take place at night, complicating rescue missions and resulting in many bodies going unaccounted for.

Another recent incident left 64 individuals missing after a boat capsized, underscoring the dangers faced by those relying on water transportation in Congo.

In September, the region experienced two separate boat tragedies that claimed the lives of at least 193 people due to improper loading and nighttime navigation, as reported by state media.