At Least 193 Killed in Two Congo Boat Disasters

At Least 193 Killed in Two Congo Boat Disasters
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Two deadly boat accidents in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo have left at least 193 people dead and dozens missing, according to Arab News.

The first disaster occurred Thursday evening in Lukolela territory, when a whaleboat carrying nearly 500 passengers caught fire and capsized on the Congo River. Authorities reported 209 survivors.

A day earlier, a second motorboat sank in Basankusu territory, killing at least 86 people, many of them students. Several others remain unaccounted for.

Officials cited overloading, poor safety conditions, and night navigation as contributing factors. Life jackets were largely absent, and rescue operations were hampered by darkness.

Civil society groups warned the real toll could be higher, criticizing lax enforcement of safety regulations.

River transport is vital in Congo’s remote regions, yet frequent accidents highlight chronic infrastructure gaps and weak oversight, leaving communities vulnerable to recurring tragedies.