A tragic boat accident on the Fimi River in central Congo has claimed the lives of at least 25 people, including children, while leaving dozens missing, local officials and residents reported on Tuesday.
The overcrowded vessel, carrying over 100 passengers, departed from the town of Inongo, northeast of Kinshasa, but capsized just a few hundred meters into its journey.
Authorities say overloading was a key factor in the disaster. “There was overloading at roof level, and so far, at least 25 bodies have been recovered,” said David Kalemba, Inongo’s river commissioner. The boat was also laden with goods, further increasing its instability.
Alex Mbumba, a local resident, confirmed children were among the victims. “It’s difficult to determine the exact death toll now because there were so many passengers on board,” he said.
Search and rescue operations continued late into Tuesday as concerns grew that the death toll could rise significantly. This marks the fourth boat disaster this year in Maï-Ndombe province, a region heavily reliant on river transport due to poor road infrastructure.
Past tragedies, including one in October that killed 78 people and another in June that claimed 80 lives, highlight the recurring issue of overloaded boats. Despite repeated warnings and promises from officials to enforce safety measures, the lack of affordable transport options in remote areas has left residents with few alternatives.
The latest incident has reignited calls for urgent government intervention. “The government must act to improve safety on the waters of our province because navigation conditions are dangerous,” Mbumba said, urging authorities to provide life jackets and other safety equipment to prevent future tragedies.
