At least 50 people have tragically lost their lives after a boat capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo, according to witnesses who spoke to The Associated Press. The incident occurred when a boat carrying numerous passengers overturned near the port of Kituku. Rescue services were able to retrieve 50 bodies from the water, while 10 survivors were rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
The exact number of passengers on board at the time of the accident is still unclear. Witnesses described the boat as being overcrowded, which likely contributed to its sinking as it attempted to dock just metres away from the port. This recent maritime disaster adds to a series of deadly boat accidents in the central African nation, with overcrowding often cited as a major factor.
Earlier this summer, another tragic incident claimed the lives of 80 passengers when an overloaded boat sank near the capital city. Such accidents serve as stark reminders of the dangers faced by those relying on water transport in the region. The authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the latest capsize as the community mourns the loss of so many lives on Lake Kivu.