A tragic accident on the Lukeni River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has claimed the lives of at least 20 people, with hundreds still unaccounted for. Officials confirmed that 46 individuals were rescued following the incident, but the search continues for those missing.
The motorized wooden boat, which was heavily overloaded with goods and around 300 passengers, sank after hitting an underwater obstacle while traveling from Saturday night into Sunday. Among the recovered bodies was a 9-month-old baby.
Nighttime river navigation is banned in Congo due to its dangers. Local authorities regularly emphasize the risks of sailing after dark.
A provincial commission is currently investigating the accident, according to Governor Lebon Nkoso Kevan of Maï-Ndombe Province. The country faces ongoing challenges with overcrowded boats and nighttime travel, which contribute to frequent and deadly accidents on its waterways.
