38 people were killed and more than 100 are missing after a boat carrying people returning home to celebrate Christmas in Congo capsized in the Busira River late Friday night. Local officials and eyewitnesses gave this information.
This incident of boat capsizing has happened at a time when about four days ago, 25 people were killed when another boat capsized in the north-east of the country. So far, 20 people have been confirmed rescued in the recent incident of boat capsizing.
The boat was in waters north-east of Congo and was carrying mostly businessmen returning home for Christmas, said Joseph Congolingoli, mayor of the town of Ingende, near the crash site.
Ndolo Kadi, a resident of Ingende, said that “there were more than 400 people on board and the boat passed through Ingende and Lulo, two ports on the way to Boende, so it seems that the death toll will be higher.”
Congolese authorities frequently issue warnings against overcrowding on boats and punish those who violate water transport safety measures, but most travelers from remote areas can afford to travel by road. Can’t.
In October, at least 78 people were killed when an overloaded boat capsized in the eastern part of the country, and 80 people were killed in a similar accident near Kinshasa in June.