At Least 193 Dead In Two Separate Boat Accidents In Northwestern Congo This Week

Last Updated:September 13, 2025, 04:50 IST

Neither the exact causes of the accidents nor the status of ongoing rescue operations were clear as of Friday evening.

These vessels frequently lack essential safety equipment such as life jackets (AI-generated pic)

At least 193 people have died in two separate boat accidents this week in the northwestern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with several others reported missing, authorities and state media confirmed on Friday. The tragic incidents occurred on Wednesday and Thursday in the Equateur province, approximately 150 kilometres apart, according to the Associated Press.

The most recent accident took place on Thursday when a boat carrying nearly 500 passengers caught fire and capsized along the Congo River in the Lukolela territory of Equateur province. Congo’s humanitarian affairs ministry reported that while rescue teams saved 209 survivors, many others perished. The boat involved was a whaleboat near the village of Malange, a remote area along the river.

This disaster followed a similar tragedy just one day earlier in the Basankusu territory, also in Equateur province. On Wednesday, a motorised boat capsized, killing at least 86 people, most of whom were students traveling for school. Several passengers remain missing, although no precise number has been reported.

State media attributed the Wednesday accident primarily to “improper loading and night navigation," according to eyewitness accounts. Photos from the scene showed villagers gathered around bodies, mourning the dead. Meanwhile, a local civil society group criticised the government, claiming the death toll from the Wednesday accident could be even higher.

Neither the exact causes of the accidents nor the status of ongoing rescue operations were clear as of Friday evening. Authorities have yet to release detailed information or updates.

Boat capsizing incidents are alarmingly common in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in rural regions where poor road infrastructure forces residents to rely heavily on river transport. Many people choose wooden boats, often overcrowded with passengers and cargo, due to their low cost. However, these vessels frequently lack essential safety equipment such as life jackets, and overloading is rampant. Nighttime travel is also common, further complicating rescue efforts and increasing the risk of fatalities, as many victims remain unaccounted for.

News world At Least 193 Dead In Two Separate Boat Accidents In Northwestern Congo This Week

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