Kinshasa, Congo — A tragic ferry accident on the Busira River in northeastern Congo has left at least 38 people dead and over 100 missing.
The ferry, reportedly overloaded with passengers heading home for Christmas, capsized late Friday, officials and eyewitnesses confirmed Saturday. Rescuers have saved 20 people so far.
This disaster comes just days after another boat capsized in the country’s northeast, killing 25 people.
The ferry was part of a convoy traveling along the river, carrying primarily merchants. According to Joseph Joseph Kangolingoli, the mayor of Ingende—the last major town before the accident site—the vessel had stopped at multiple ports, including Ingende and Loolo, before continuing toward Boende. Local resident Ndolo Kaddy estimated that the ferry carried over 400 people, suggesting the death toll may rise significantly.
Officials have repeatedly cautioned against overloading boats, a persistent issue in the region. Despite pledges to enforce safety regulations, economic hardships and limited access to road transportation push many to rely on unsafe river travel.
At least 78 people drowned in October when an overloaded boat sank in eastern Congo, while 80 died in a similar incident near Kinshasa in June.
The latest tragedy has sparked widespread anger at the government for failing to enforce safety measures. Nesty Bonina, a local official in Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur province where the accident occurred, criticized authorities for allowing unsafe navigation practices.
“How can a ship navigate at night under the watchful eye of river service agents? And now we’re recording over a hundred deaths,” Bonina said.
Growing Risks on Congo’s Waterways
Overloaded wooden vessels, often in poor condition, have become a frequent mode of transport as people avoid roads plagued by clashes between Congolese security forces and rebels. These ongoing conflicts have rendered many routes unsafe, forcing travelers to rely on treacherous river journeys.
Efforts to improve safety on Congo’s waterways remain inconsistent, leaving passengers vulnerable to repeated tragedies.
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