DR Congo Boat Disaster Kills at Least 80

DR Congo Boat Disaster Kills at Least 80

Keywords: Boat disaster, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo River, Lake Kivu, Casualties

Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – A boat disaster on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed the lives of at least 80 people, according to local officials.

The boat, which was carrying over 200 passengers, capsized on Tuesday in stormy weather near the town of Bukavu. Many of the passengers were reportedly children.

Survivors described the boat as overcrowded and lacking life jackets. They said that the storm suddenly struck, causing the boat to overturn.

“The boat was full of people, and there were not enough life jackets for everyone,” said one survivor. “We were all thrown into the water, and it was chaos.”

Rescue workers have been searching for survivors throughout the night, but the operation is being hampered by strong currents and poor visibility.

The death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered. The accident is the worst boat disaster in the DRC in recent years.

The Congolese government has declared three days of national mourning for the victims. President Felix Tshisekedi has expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

The boat disaster has highlighted the dangers of boat travel in the DRC. The country’s waterways are often poorly regulated, and boats are often overcrowded and unsafe.