20 dead as ferry capsizes on DR Congo’s lake Kivu

At least 20 bodies have been recovered from Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following the tragic capsizing of a ferry just a few hundred meters from its intended destination. The incident occurred on Thursday morning as the vessel, which had set off from Minova in South Kivu, was approaching the shore of Goma.

Footage shared online shows the ferry tilting dramatically before sinking into the lake. While the exact number of passengers remains unclear, survivors informed Reuters that the boat likely carried around 200 people. Local migration authorities have confirmed that 45 males and 35 females were officially registered as passengers, but their ages have yet to be verified.

Aaron Ashuza, a local activist who witnessed the event, told the BBC that he saw bodies being retrieved from the water, and several injured individuals were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals. Tragically, at least two children died shortly after being admitted, as reported by AFP.

Boat accidents are frequent in the DRC, where overcrowded ferries, a lack of safety jackets, and a significant portion of non-swimming passengers contribute to the danger. Rescue efforts are complicated by the absence of passenger manifests on many vessels, making it challenging to determine the full extent of the tragedy.