Dozens dead and over 160 missing after a tragic boat accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Rescue workers are currently searching for 167 people who are still missing after their boat capsized in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident occurred on Friday, and so far, more than 40 bodies have been recovered. Fortunately, 189 survivors were rescued after the boat sank in the Congo River. According to a civil society group involved in the rescue and recovery efforts, the boat was overloaded with over 300 passengers and cargo. Due to the lack of roads, boats are a commonly used mode of transportation in the country. However, boat accidents are frequent because of factors such as overloading, a lack of maintenance, and traveling at night. It was also noted that many of the passengers were not wearing life jackets. Authorities have stated that the boat was sailing at night in violation of safety regulations. This tragic event has received significant attention, with Moise Katumbi, a prominent opposition leader and presidential candidate, expressing his sorrow. He placed blame on the government for allowing the operation of dilapidated and overloaded boats during nighttime. As rescue efforts continue, the provincial government of Equateur, where the accident took place, has pledged to provide psychological support to children who were injured and lost their parents. Reports indicate that more than 40 bodies have been recovered, although a local civil society organization claims that the number is 50. A survivor interviewed by Radio Okapi, a UN-linked radio station, shared their account of the incident. The survivor stated that the boat, which departed from the city of Mbandaka en route to the Bolomba area, became stalled and lost balance due to overcrowding. As the crew attempted to rebalance the boat, it capsized, causing the passengers and cargo to sink. On Sunday, the vice-governor of Equateur province provided body bags and coffins for the victims' burials.