The Central African nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo has once again been shaken by deadly boat accidents. In two separate incidents in the northwestern Équateur province this week, at least 193 people have died, while many others remain missing.
On Wednesday, in the Basankusu area, a motorized boat capsized, leaving at least 86 people dead — most of them students. The following evening, another tragic accident struck when a whale boat carrying around 500 passengers caught fire and overturned in the Lukolela area. The mishap occurred near Malandjé village on the Congo River. Authorities confirmed that 209 people were rescued alive.
Local officials pointed to overcrowding and nighttime journeys as the main causes of these disasters. However, there is still no clear information on official investigations or ongoing rescue operations. State media noted that poor safety measures in passenger and cargo boats are fueling the rise in such tragedies. Most vessels lack life jackets and frequently operate at night, compounding the risks.
Civil society groups have blamed government negligence, claiming that the actual death toll is even higher than reported.
With limited and costly road transport options, many Congolese rely on overcrowded wooden boats for travel. As a result, boat accidents have become a recurring national tragedy in the country.