Kinshasa: At least 30 people were killed, and dozens are still missing in a horrific collision between two motorized wooden boats on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The accident occurred near the Ngombe-Lukolela area of Equateur Province on Sunday evening. According to officials, the two boats were traveling in opposite directions when they collided.
Search for missing people continues
A rescue and relief operation has been launched following the accident. Authorities are searching for missing passengers in the river. It is reported that the bodies of the 30 people who died in the accident have been recovered and buried.
One boat was traveling from Ubangi to Kinshasa, while the other was traveling from Kinshasa to Lukolela.
Cause of accident still unclear
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the accident. According to a security official who witnessed the accident, the boat was carrying a large amount of cargo at the time of the accident.
Authorities have also cited nighttime boating as a potential risk factor for such accidents. Overcrowding and lack of safety measures have previously caused fatal accidents in Congo.
River transport is crucial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to limited road connectivity. This accident has once again raised questions about passenger safety on the country’s waterways.