A vessel carrying traders capsized in Lake Kivu in eastern Congo, killing at least 12 and leaving dozens missing, authorities said Sunday.
The vessel was carrying more than 50 people when it capsized on Saturday night on Idjwi Island, in South Kivu province, said Félix Habiragi, chief of the village of Kisheke near the scene of the accident. He said that about 15 people have been rescued. Deadly boat accidents are common in Congo, where rivers and lakes are a major means of transport for its more than 100 million people.
The vessel was transporting fish traders and goods from Idjwi Island’s Bwina to Boza, according to Muhindo Ntambuka Pascal, the local administrator. The cause of the accident was not immediately clear. Videos that appear to be from the scene showed villagers and other passengers pulling bodies from the lake.
Tragic Boat Incident Claims Life in Ijwi
Christian Amini Ndahira, a resident of Ijwi, mourns the loss of a friend who died in a recent boating accident. “We had even spoken in the evening, before he boarded that boat. It’s so sad for me and for his family,” he expressed.
The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns regarding Congo’s vessels, which are often overloaded with passengers and cargo. Many travelers continue to board these boats without life jackets, despite recent regulations mandating their use.
Dorcelle Bagazane, a member of civil society in Idjwi, noted, “The authorities had, in particular, begun requiring passengers to wear life jackets. Today, however, many people continue to travel without them.” This disregard for safety regulations raises alarms about the risks associated with water travel in the region.
