At Least 50 Dead as Boat Capsizes on Lake in Eastern Congo

A tragic boat accident on a lake in eastern Congo has left at least 50 people dead. Authorities are conducting rescue operations, with more survivors and victims expected to be found.

According to witnesses speaking to The Associated Press, a boat with numerous passengers overturned on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least 50 people.

The exact number of people on board and those who perished was initially unclear. However, witnesses reported seeing rescue services retrieve at least 50 bodies from the water. They mentioned that 10 individuals survived and were transported to the local hospital.

According to witnesses, the boat, carrying too many passengers, sank as it attempted to dock just meters (yards) away from Kituku port. It was traveling from Minova in South Kivu province to Goma in North Kivu province.

Local authorities announced that rescue operations were ongoing, but the number of casualties was still uncertain at this time. Back in February, most of the 50 passengers on a wooden boat were presumed dead after it overturned on Lake Kivu.

“The boat, which had a capacity for about thirty passengers, was carrying approximately one hundred people,” said Jean-Jacques Purusi, the governor of South Kivu province, during an interview with a local radio station after the accident.

This incident marked the most recent fatal boat accident in the central African nation, where overcrowding on vessels frequently leads to such tragedies. Additionally, maritime regulations are often disregarded.

Congolese authorities have frequently cautioned against overloading and promised to penalize individuals who violate water transportation safety regulations. However, in the remote regions from which most passengers originate, many cannot afford public transport on the limited roads available.

In June, a boat overburdened with passengers sank near Kinshasa’s capital, resulting in the loss of 80 lives. Earlier that year in January, Lake Maï-Ndombe witnessed the death of 22 individuals. Then in April 2023, an incident on Lake Kivu led to six fatalities and left 64 people missing.

Witnesses reported that the boat, which capsized on Thursday, appeared to be noticeably overcrowded.

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“I was at Kituku port when the boat from Minova arrived, carrying many passengers,” Francine Munyi recounted to the AP. “It began to tip and eventually sank into the lake, with some people jumping into the water.”

“Countless lives were lost, and only a few survived,” she explained. “I was unable to assist them because I don’t know how to swim.”

Families of the victims and residents of Goma assembled at Kituku port, accusing authorities of neglecting the increasing insecurity in the region.

Due to the conflict between the armed forces and M23 rebels rendering the road between Goma and Minova inaccessible, trucks carrying food have been unable to use this route. As a result, many traders are now relying on maritime transport across Lake Kivu as an alternative considered safer than navigating roads plagued by insecurity.

However, Elia Asumani, a shipping agent operating on this line, describes the situation as having become perilous:

“We’re frightened,” he shared with the AP. “This shipwreck was foreseeable.”

Bienfait Sematumba, aged 27, reported that he lost four family members.

Through his sobs, he said, “They are all gone. I’m alone now. If the authorities had put an end to the war, this shipwreck could have been avoided.”

Approximately 10 survivors were taken to Kyeshero Hospital for treatment. Among them, Neema Chimanga mentioned she was still in shock.

“We noticed the boat starting to take on water halfway through,” she told the AP. “The door of the vessel opened, and we attempted to shut it. However, water was already pouring in, causing the boat to tip.”

“I plunged into the water and began to swim,” she recounted. “I have no idea how I managed to get out.”