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Overloaded Boat Capsizes on Lake Kivu, Killing at Least 50 in Eastern Congo Tragedy

koolxd | October 3, 2024

A tragic boat accident occurred on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo on Thursday, resulting in the loss of at least 50 lives. Witnesses report that the boat, believed to be overloaded, capsized just as it approached Kituku port. The vessel had been traveling from Minova, South Kivu, to Goma in North Kivu province.

Rescue teams have recovered 50 bodies so far, and 10 survivors were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, the exact number of people aboard remains uncertain, and authorities are continuing search and rescue operations.

South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi confirmed that the boat was only meant to carry around 30 passengers but had been dangerously overloaded with about 100 people. He expressed deep regret, noting that overcrowding on boats remains a serious issue in Congo, where maritime safety regulations are frequently ignored.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of deadly boat accidents in Congo. Just in June, an overloaded boat sank near Kinshasa, claiming 80 lives. Earlier in the year, 22 people died in a similar incident on Lake Maï-Ndombe, and in April, six were killed, with 64 others missing, in another accident on Lake Kivu.

Eyewitnesses described how the boat on Thursday was visibly overloaded. “I saw it arrive packed with passengers,” said Francine Munyi, who was at Kituku port when the boat sank. “It lost its balance and quickly sank into the lake. So many died; only a few made it.”

The disaster has sparked outrage among locals and families of the victims, who accuse authorities of neglect and poor enforcement of safety measures.

Ongoing conflict in the region, particularly between government forces and M23 rebels, has forced many traders to rely on unsafe lake transport due to hazardous roads, further exacerbating the problem of overcrowded boats.Elia Asumani, a shipping agent on the Lake Kivu route, noted the growing danger. “We are scared. This disaster was entirely avoidable,” he said.One of the grieving, 27-year-old Bienfait Sematumba, shared his heartbreak after losing four family members in the tragedy. “They are all gone. I’m left all alone,” he said, blaming the ongoing conflict for pushing people onto unsafe boats.

Survivors also recounted their terrifying experience. Neema Chimanga, who managed to escape, said, “Water started filling the boat, and I had to jump into the lake. I swam for my life.”

Boat accidents are tragically frequent in Congo, where lax safety standards and overcrowding plague water transportation. Despite government vows to improve safety and enforce regulations, these tragedies persist, especially in remote regions where alternatives to boat travel are few.

Written by koolxd

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