An overcrowded boat has capsized on the Fimi River in central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), resulting in at least 25 fatalities, including children, and leaving dozens missing. The boat, which was believed to be carrying more than 100 passengers, departed from the town of Inongo, located northeast of the capital, Kinshasa, on Tuesday. It capsized shortly after beginning its voyage, merely a few hundred meters downriver.
According to local authorities, the situation has prompted immediate search efforts for the missing passengers. David Kalemba, the river commissioner of the area, reported, "There was overloading at roof level and, as far as the lifeless human bodies are concerned, at least 25 have been recovered so far." The incident has drawn attention, especially since the capsized boat was also loaded with various goods, complicate the tragedy.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Alex Mbumba, a local resident, added, "Among the dead are children, but it’s difficult to give an exact death toll at the moment as ... the boat had a lot of passengers." The boat capsizing has marked another grim chapter for the Mai-Ndombe province, which has seen several similar accidents this year.
This incident is the fourth such boat tragedy the province has experienced this year, with calls for improved water safety measures growing louder. Deadly boat accidents are not uncommon in the DRC, where vessels are often overloaded and local transportation is largely reliant on rivers due to the country's limited road networks.
Recent history bears witness to this plight; at least 78 people drowned when another overloaded boat sank on Lake Kivu earlier this year, and earlier this summer, another boat capsized near Kinshasa, resulting in 80 fatalities. The frequency of these tragic occurrences raises urgent questions about local navigational safety.
Mbumba emphasized the need for government intervention, stating, "The government must act to improve safety on the waters of our province (because) navigation conditions are dangerous." His comments resonate with many locals who rely on river transportation for their daily lives.
Year after year, the safety of waterways has remained precarious. While Congolese officials have repeatedly warned against overloading and violations of safety measures, those who live in remote areas often have no choice but to travel by these boats, as public transport remains scarce and expensive.
The capsize of overloaded boats has become increasingly frequent, leading many to abandon the few available roads, where security issues from conflicts often hinder safe travel. Roads, where they exist, see deadly clashes between government forces and rebels, making water travel seem like the only viable option for many.
This tragedy reinforces the urgency for improved safety protocols within the DRC's river transport system. With calls for flotation devices and stricter adherence to safety standards becoming more pronounced, it appears necessary to advocate for the welfare of those who traverse the region’s dangerous waterways.
Overall, the loss of life from this latest disaster has reignited the discourse on safety regulations and must push authorities to reconsider their strategies as so many depend on these rivers with few alternatives available.
