File photo of a similar wreck on the Congo River in February 2024 (AP Photo)
At least 24 dead and dozens missing so far after boat capsizes in Democratic Republic of Congo river
The shipwreck occurred on Sunday night when a riverboat carrying 250-300 passengers overturned after hitting tree trunks in the waters of the Lukeni River in Mai-Dobe province (west).
A local official told the Reuters news agency that there was a sudden weight shift on the vessel when “panicked passengers moved to one side, causing the vessel to overturn”.
Fidel Lizoringo, head of civil society in Mai-Dobe province, said at least 43 people on board had survived, but the fate of many people was unknown. He also revealed that enraged relatives of victims lynched the boat operator.
In this large country in central Africa, barges plying rivers and lakes are often used to transport residents. But they often travel overloaded and consequently the account of shipwrecks is particularly heavy.
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