Nearly 40 Dead After Ferry Capsizes in DR Congo

At least 38 people have died and over 100 are missing following the capsizing of a ferry in the Busira River in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Al Jazeera reported yesterday.

The incident occurred late on Friday while the ferry was carrying passengers traveling for Christmas, primarily merchants returning home. So far, 20 survivors have been rescued.

According to local officials, the ferry was part of a convoy and was believed to be overloaded, carrying more than 400 passengers due to its stops at two ports before heading to Boende. Joseph Kangolingoli, the mayor of Ingende, confirmed the tragic event.

Central government authorities have not yet provided further details on the rescue operations or the incident itself. Congolese officials have previously warned against overloading boats and pledged to enforce safety regulations, but in remote areas, many residents rely on such vessels for transportation due to limited road access.