KINSHASA: At least 193 people were killed and dozens remain missing after two separate boat accidents in northwestern Congo this week, authorities and state media said.
The accidents occurred on Wednesday and Thursday, about 150 km apart in Equateur province.
On Thursday evening, a whaleboat carrying nearly 500 passengers caught fire and capsized on the Congo River near Malange village in Lukolela territory, according to Congo’s humanitarian affairs ministry. At least 209 survivors were rescued.
A day earlier, a motorised boat overturned in Basankusu territory, killing at least 86 people — most of them students — state media reported. Several others are still unaccounted for.
The causes of both accidents remain unclear. However, state media said Wednesday’s tragedy was likely due to “improper loading and night navigation.” Images from the site showed villagers mourning beside recovered bodies.
A local civil society group accused the government of negligence and claimed the toll was higher, though officials have not commented.
Boat disasters are increasingly common in Congo, where poor roads force many to rely on cheap, overcrowded wooden vessels. Life jackets are rarely available, and many boats travel at night, making rescue efforts difficult and often leaving victims uncounted.
