Overloaded Boat Capsizes in Congo, Leaving Many Dead and Missing

At least 24 people died after an overloaded boat capsized in Congo's Mai-Ndombe province. The death toll is expected to rise as many passengers remain missing. The boat, carrying 250-300 passengers, overturned after hitting submerged tree trunks. Overloading and panic among passengers caused the vessel to tip over.

At least 24 people have died in Congo's Mai-Ndombe province after an overloaded boat capsized, a local official said on Wednesday. With many passengers still missing, the death toll is anticipated to increase.

The boat, carrying between 250 to 300 passengers, overturned on Sunday night after colliding with submerged tree trunks, Kutu territory administrator Jacques Nzenza told Reuters. Overloading was cited as the primary cause, leading to an imbalance and subsequent panic among passengers, which resulted in the vessel tipping over.

Deadly boat accidents are frequent in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where limited paved roads force reliance on river travel. Vessels are often loaded beyond their capacity. Civil society leader Fidele Lizoringo reported that 43 people survived the incident, but in a tragic turn, angry villagers lynched the boat manager after learning that some of their relatives died in the accident.

(With inputs from agencies.)