KINSHASA, Congo (Prime Africa) — At least 193 people have died following two separate boat accidents this week in the northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities and state media confirmed.
On Thursday, tragedy struck when a boat carrying nearly 500 passengers caught fire and capsized along the Congo River in Lukolela territory. According to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, 209 survivors were rescued near the village of Malange, while the remaining passengers are feared dead.
A day earlier, in Basankusu territory, a motorized boat overloaded with passengers capsized during night navigation, killing at least 86 people — most of them students — state media reported. Civil society groups in the region claim the actual death toll is higher and blamed government negligence for the tragedy.
The exact causes of both accidents remain unclear, but officials have pointed to improper loading, overcapacity, and unsafe night travel as key factors.
Boat accidents have become disturbingly frequent in the DRC, where river transport is a lifeline for remote communities. With road infrastructure limited, many Congolese rely on old wooden vessels, often packed far beyond capacity and lacking basic safety equipment such as life jackets.
Civil society groups are now urging the government to enforce stricter safety regulations, improve river transport oversight, and provide emergency response resources to prevent further loss of life.
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