Congo Boat Accident: A major boat accident occurred on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday. Two boats collided near Ngombe-Lukolela area. At least 30 people died in the accident, while many others are still reported missing. Local officials informed about the accident on Monday.
Both boats were coming from different directions
According to Crispin Maputu, the interior minister of Equator province, the boat was heading from the northwestern region of Ubangi to the capital Kinshasa. The other boat was heading from Kinshasa to Lukolela. The two boats collided near Lukolela. After the accident, relief and rescue teams started searching for missing people and possible survivors in the river.
30 bodies buried, fear of death toll increasing
According to officials, 30 people who lost their lives in the accident have been buried. However, the death toll is expected to increase due to many people going missing. The actual cause of the accident is not yet clear and the matter is being investigated.
Claim surfaced regarding overloading
A security force member claimed that the boat returning from Ubangi was overloaded. According to him, during this time it collided with another boat and the boat completely sank in the river. He said that many passengers on the boat were trapped in the water. He did not make his identity public due to security reasons.
Boat accidents are common in Congo
Boat accidents occur frequently in remote areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Operating boats late at night, carrying more passengers than their capacity, lack of safety standards and weak infrastructure are said to be the main reasons for such accidents. In the past years too, a large number of people have lost their lives in many boat accidents in the country.
Major fire accident in schools in Bakavu
Earlier last month, at least 26 students died in a fire in two schools in Bakavu city of Congo. The dead included 19 girls and 7 boys, while several other students were injured.