Tragedy Strikes Lake Kivu as Overcrowded Boat Capsizes, Leaving at Least 50 Dead
A devastating boat accident occurred on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo on Thursday, resulting in the loss of at least 50 lives. The tragedy unfolded when a boat, overloaded with passengers, sank while attempting to dock at the port of Kituku, just meters away from the shore.
According to eyewitnesses, the vessel was carrying approximately 100 people, exceeding its capacity of 30 passengers. The boat was traveling from Minova in South Kivu province to Goma in North Kivu province when it suddenly capsized.
Rescue efforts are still underway, with local authorities confirming that at least 50 bodies have been recovered from the water. Ten survivors have been taken to the Kyeshero Hospital for treatment, where they are being treated for injuries sustained during the disaster.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves throughout the region, with families of the victims gathering at the port of Kituku to demand accountability from local authorities. "We are afraid," said Elia Asumani, a shipping agent who works on this line. "This shipwreck was predictable."
Bienfait Sematumba, a 27-year-old survivor who lost four family members in the disaster, accused authorities of negligence. "If the authorities had ended the war, this shipwreck would never have happened," he said, sobbing.
The accident is the latest in a series of deadly boat incidents on Lake Kivu, which has become a lifeline for traders in the region. The closure of roads due to insecurity has led many to rely on maritime transport, which is considered safer than road traffic.
However, overcrowding and poor safety regulations have been blamed for the high number of fatalities. Congolese officials have repeatedly warned against overloading and have vowed to punish those violating safety measures. Despite these warnings, the situation on Lake Kivu remains precarious.
The survivors, still reeling from the trauma of the disaster, are struggling to come to terms with their loss. Neema Chimanga, one of the survivors, recounted the horror of the accident, saying, "We saw the boat start to fill with water halfway. 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 search for answers continues, the people of Congo are left to mourn the loss of loved ones and wonder how such a tragedy could have occurred.
