Congo River boats collide, at least 30 dead and dozens missing
Two wooden motorized boats collided on the Congo River near Ngombe-Lukolela, killing at least 30 people with dozens still missing.
The boats crashed on Sunday evening in Equateur province. One was traveling from Ubangi in the northwest to the capital Kinshasa; the other was heading from Kinshasa to Lukolela, close to where the collision occurred.
A security force witness told the Associated Press one vessel was overloaded with goods before the crash. Almost all passengers aboard were trapped underwater and the boat sank.
The provincial interior minister said the 30 known dead have already been buried, and search efforts continue for more victims. Nighttime boat navigation has been blamed for past accidents.
Deadly boating tragedies are common in Congo. Poor safety standards and lack of infrastructure in remote parts of the country contribute to hundreds of deaths yearly.
Late-night travel and overcrowded vessels are often blamed. In July, a wooden boat carrying students sank in Kasai province, killing at least 20 people.
- At least 30 dead, dozens missing
- Deaths confirmed
- Sunday evening
- Timing
Why it mattersThe collision highlights ongoing safety hazards in Congo's waterways. Overcrowding and lack of infrastructure continue to claim lives in the region.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect, but the disaster reflects broader challenges in central African water transport safety.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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