At least 193 dead in two separate boat accidents in Congo River
Civil society groups in the region say the actual death toll may be higher and have blamed government negligence for the tragedies.
At least 193 people have died and dozens remain missing following two separate boat accidents on the Congo River in Equateur Province, in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities and state media reported.
According to reports,the tragedies occurred on Wednesday and Thursday, approximately 150 kilometres apart in the Equateur province.
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The first incident took place on Wednesday in Basankusu territory, when a motorised boat capsized. At least 86 people were killed, most of them students, while several others are still unaccounted for. The exact number of missing passengers remains unclear.
The second accident struck on Thursday evening in Lukolela territory, where a whaleboat carrying nearly 500 passengers caught fire and capsized near the village of Malange, according to the country’s humanitarian affairs ministry.
Rescue teams managed to save 209 people, but 146 individuals were reported missing.
Civil society groups in the region say the actual death toll may be higher and have blamed government negligence for the tragedies.
Search operations took place after the accidents, with naval personnel and community volunteers combing the banks while authorities pledged medical care for the injured, assistance to bereaved families and the repatriation of survivors to their places of origin and destination.
While the exact causes of both accidents remain unclear, officials have cited improper loading, overcapacity, and unsafe night travel as contributing factors.
Boat accidents have become alarmingly frequent in the DRC, where river transport is essential for remote communities. Many rely on aging wooden vessels that are often overcrowded and lack basic safety equipment, including life jackets.
Civil society groups are calling on the government to enforce stricter safety regulations, improve oversight of river transport, and provide better emergency response resources to prevent further loss of life.
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