An unfortunate event unfolded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) when a boat capsized on the Kwa River near Mushie in Mai-Ndombe province, killing 86 people. The incident happened on June 10, roughly 43 miles away from the city.
President Felix Tshisekedi announced the tragedy, extending his condolences to the bereaved families. The President’s office released a statement on X, emphasizing the need for an investigation into the accident’s causes. It stated, “The President of the Republic is calling for an investigation into the true causes of this incident to prevent such a disaster from happening again in the future.” The President also instructed authorities to provide immediate relief to those affected.
Rita Bola Dula, the governor of Mai-Ndombe province, stated that the accident occurred due to night sailing. “We are in the process of extracting the survivors and other bodies,” Dula told Reuters, adding that an ongoing investigation would determine the exact cause of the incident.
The ill-fated boat, laden with 271 passengers, capsized due to engine failure. The boat subsequently collided with the river bank and broke up. According to Ren Maker, the water commissioner in the Mushi district, of the total passengers, 86 lost their lives while 185 managed to swim to shore.
This recent disaster underscores the recurring problem of fatal boat accidents in the DRC, a country where overloading vessels is a common issue. With few paved roads, river travel is an essential mode of transportation across its vast, forested regions.
In recent years, overloading has led to numerous boat accidents in the DRC, causing significant loss of life. In February, an overloaded boat sank, resulting in dozens of deaths. Officials in Congo have frequently warned against overloading boats and pledged to enforce safety measures in water transportation.
The statement from the President’s office further expressed condolences to the victim’s families, highlighting the importance of preventive measures. As the nation grieves, the focus has now shifted to ensuring such incidents do not happen again.
Efforts are currently underway to aid the survivors and support the affected families. Authorities are working diligently to recover and identify the bodies of the victims. “We are committed to uncovering the true causes of this incident and ensuring the safety of river travel in our province,” stated Governor Dula.
Given the DRC’s geographical and infrastructural challenges, river travel is a necessity for many citizens. However, the recurrent nature of such accidents highlights the need for increased scrutiny of safety standards and regulatory measures.