Tragedy Strikes Lake Kivu: At Least 78 Die in Overcrowded Boat Capsizing
A devastating boat accident occurred on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least 78 people. The vessel, believed to have carried 278 passengers, capsized while trying to dock at the port of Kituku, with many still unaccounted for.
Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi of South Kivu province confirmed the tragedy, stating that the death toll was provisional and could rise further. According to authorities, the boat had departed from Minova, South Kivu, and was headed to Goma, North Kivu, when the accident occurred.
Witnesses reported seeing the boat, visibly overcrowded, struggle to dock and eventually sink into the lake. “It was a chaotic scene,” said Francine Munyi, a witness. “I saw people throwing themselves into the water as the boat started to tilt.”
Pursi attributed the tragedy to a combination of factors, including the lack of adequate equipment, overcrowding, and negligence. “We will establish responsibilities and put in place a sanctions regime but also recommendations to improve navigation on the lake,” he told The Associated Press.
This latest tragedy is not an isolated incident. In recent years, Congo has experienced several boat accidents, with many deaths and disappearances reported. In June, an overloaded boat sank near Kinshasa, killing 80 people, while in January, 22 people died on Lake Maî-Ndombe. In April 2023, six were killed and 64 went missing on Lake Kivu.
The causes of these accidents are complex, but many blame overcrowding and lax safety measures. “We are afraid,” said Elia Asumani, a shipping agent who works on Lake Kivu. “This shipwreck was predictable.”
As families mourn their losses, authorities face growing criticism for their handling of the situation. Victims’ families and residents gathered at the port of Kituku, accusing authorities of negligence in the face of growing insecurity in the region.
The conflict between armed forces and M23 rebels has made the road between Goma and Minova impassable, forcing many traders to rely on maritime transport on Lake Kivu. “If the authorities had ended the war, this shipwreck would never have happened,” said Bienfait Sematumba, 27, who lost four family members.
The survivors, around 10 of them, were taken to Kyeshero hospital for treatment, with one of them, Neema Chimanga, still in shock. “We saw the boat start to fill with water halfway,” she recounted. “The door of the boat opened, and we tried to close it. But the water was already coming in, and the boat tilted.”
As the people of Congo mourn this tragedy, it is clear that the root causes of these accidents must be addressed to prevent further loss of life.
