Boat Sinks in Congo Lake, Leaving Twelve Dead and Dozens Missing

What Happened

A boat carrying more than fifty fish traders capsized in Lake Kivu in eastern Congo, leaving at least twelve people dead and dozens missing. The accident happened on Saturday night near Idjwi Island in South Kivu province. Félix Habiragi, the chief of the nearby village of Kisheke, said about fifteen people were rescued from the water, while the cause of the disaster is still not clear.

Reactions and Background

Christian Amini Ndahira, a resident of Idjwi, said he lost a friend who had boarded the boat after they spoke earlier that evening. Deadly boat accidents happen often in Congo because rivers and lakes serve as a major way to travel for its population of more than 100 million people. Boats are frequently overloaded with goods and passengers, and many people travel without life jackets. Dorcelle Bagazane, a civil society member in Idjwi, noted that authorities started requiring passengers to wear life jackets, but many travelers still go without them.