Tragedy struck in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a boat carrying more than 270 passengers capsized on the Kwa River near the capital city of Kinshasa. President Félix Tshisekedi confirmed that over 80 individuals lost their lives in the incident.
This unfortunate event is not an isolated one in the central African country, where overloading of boats is a common issue. In February, another deadly boat accident occurred, claiming the lives of dozens due to overloading.
According to reports, the locally made boat encountered engine failure while transporting 271 passengers to Kinshasa. The vessel capsized in Maï-Ndombe province, leading to a tragic loss of life.
Ren Maker, the water commissioner in the Mushi district where the accident took place, revealed that 86 passengers perished in the incident. Fortunately, 185 individuals were able to swim to safety, reaching the city of Mushie, approximately 43 miles away from the accident site.
The boat collided with the river bank, causing it to break apart and sink. Congolese authorities have repeatedly cautioned against overloading and emphasized the importance of adhering to safety regulations for water transportation. Despite these warnings, incidents like this highlight the challenges faced in enforcing such measures, particularly in remote areas where alternative means of transportation are limited.
