A tragic boat accident in eastern Congo has left at least 78 people dead after an overcrowded vessel capsized on Lake Kivu. The boat, carrying 278 passengers, sank while trying to dock near the port of Kituku. Witnesses reported seeing rescue services recover at least 50 bodies from the water, with 10 survivors taken to the local hospital.
Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi of South Kivu province described the death toll as provisional, indicating that it could rise as the rescue efforts continue. This incident highlights the dangers of overcrowding and the lack of adherence to maritime regulations in the central African country.
The boat, which was traveling from Minova to Goma, was significantly overloaded, with a capacity for only 30 passengers instead of the estimated 100 onboard. Tragically, previous boat accidents in the region have resulted in numerous fatalities, with the latest one on Lake Kivu adding to the growing list of maritime disasters.
In this latest incident, witnesses reported seeing the boat lose its balance and sink into the lake, leading to a chaotic situation where people threw themselves into the water. The survivors recounted harrowing experiences of trying to escape the sinking vessel and the ensuing chaos.
Families of the victims and local residents gathered at the port, holding authorities accountable for the negligence that contributed to the tragedy. The situation is further compounded by insecurity in the region, which has forced many to rely on maritime transport as a safer alternative to the impassable roads.
The survivors, including Neema Chimanga, who shared her harrowing experience of escaping the sinking boat, are now receiving treatment at a local hospital. The incident has once again underscored the urgent need for improved safety measures and enforcement of regulations to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Source
Photo credit www.dailynews.com
