An overloaded wooden motorized boat capsized on Monday, September 16, 2024, in the Kwango river, a tributary of the Congo River in the southwestern province of Kwango, Democratic Republic of Congo. The accident resulted in at least four fatalities, with approximately 40 individuals still missing, according to local authorities.
Deputy Governor Remy Saki reported that 79 survivors have been accounted for, and rescue operations are ongoing under challenging conditions. Efforts are underway to locate the sunken vessel and determine if more bodies are trapped inside. Saki indicated that it might take one or two days to complete the search
Village chief Jean-Baptiste Nkololo stated that the boat struck a bridge before sinking. Passengers estimated that about 150 people were on board at the time of the accident, far exceeding the boat’s capacity.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, with its inadequate road infrastructure, relies heavily on river transport, leading to frequent accidents. In July 2024, a similar boat capsize on the Congo River in the central province of Maniema claimed at least 25 lives. Another major incident in 2019 resulted in around 100 fatalities.
Authorities are working to improve safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
