A devastating boat accident has occurred in northwestern Congo, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people, with several others still missing. The incident took place on Thursday when a boat capsized on Lake Maï-Ndombe while traveling from the town of Kiri to the capital, Kinshasa. Among the victims was a newly ordained Catholic deacon, according to a statement by the local Diocese.

According to eyewitnesses, the boat was carrying passengers when it capsized between the villages of Bobeni and Lobeke around 8 p.m. on Thursday night. Emmanuel Bola, a resident of the nearby town of Inongo, reported that the vessel was traveling from Kiri to Kinshasa when the tragedy occurred. The Congolese government has not yet released an official death toll, with the governor of Maï-Ndombe province, Kevani Nkoso, stating that they are awaiting further details from the teams deployed to the field.

The frequency of boat capsizing incidents in Congo is becoming increasingly concerning, as more people opt for water travel due to the lack of reliable roads. These wooden vessels often carry excessive loads, with life jackets being a rare commodity. Furthermore, many boats travel at night, which complicates rescue efforts and can result in bodies going unaccounted for. Earlier this month, a similar incident left 64 people missing, while in September, at least 193 people lost their lives in two separate boat tragedies in northwestern Congo.

The use of wooden boats as a primary mode of transportation in Congo is a pressing issue, with the risk of accidents being exacerbated by overcrowding and night travel. The government has attributed previous incidents to “improper loading and night navigation.” As the search for survivors and recovery of bodies continues, the incident highlights the need for improved water safety measures and infrastructure in the region. The international community is likely to be monitoring the situation closely, as the frequency and severity of such incidents continue to rise.