At least 19 people have died, and many others remain missing, after a boat capsized on Lake Mai-Ndombe in western Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The incident adds to a long list of recurring water transport tragedies in the country, often caused by negligence and the lack of safety standards.
Local authorities reported that the wooden boat, traveling from the village of Kiri to the capital Kinshasa, suffered an engine failure due to strong winds before being overturned by powerful waves.
Initial estimates suggest the vessel was carrying nearly 200 passengers, far exceeding its capacity.
The provincial governor said rescue teams had recovered 19 bodies and saved 82 people, while search efforts continue for those still missing.
The tragedy comes just months after two separate boat accidents that killed around 200 people, raising serious concerns about the lack of oversight and disregard for regulations, particularly given rural communities’ heavy reliance on dilapidated and overloaded river transport.
