At least 12 people have died and dozens remain missing after a vessel carrying fish traders and goods capsized on Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The incident occurred on Saturday night near Idjwi Island in South Kivu Province. According to local authorities, the vessel was carrying more than 50 people while travelling from Bwina on Idjwi Island to Boza.
Félix Habiragi, chief of Kisheke village near the scene of the accident, said about 15 people were rescued following the incident. The cause of the capsizing has not yet been established.
Local administrator Muhindo Ntambuka Pascal confirmed that the vessel was transporting fish traders and cargo. Videos reportedly recorded at the scene showed villagers and other passengers helping to recover bodies from the lake.
Boat accidents are relatively common in the DRC, where rivers and lakes serve as major transportation routes for millions of people. Many boats are reportedly overloaded with passengers and goods, while some travellers do not wear life jackets.
Dorcelle Bagazane, a civil society member in Idjwi, said authorities had introduced measures requiring passengers to wear life jackets, but many people still travel without them.
The latest accident occurred just two days after another boat capsized on Lake Tanganyika, also in the DRC, killing at least 41 people. About 49 people were rescued from that vessel, which was reportedly carrying around 100 passengers and cargo.
Authorities have yet to provide a full account of the latest casualty figures, and rescue efforts are continuing as families await information about missing passengers.
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