Deaths in two boat accidents in Democratic Republic of Congo

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, two tragic boat accidents within a span of two days have resulted in the loss of at least 193 lives. The most recent incident occurred on Thursday when a boat carrying nearly 500 passengers caught fire and sank on the Congo River in Lukolela territory, Equateur Province. Unfortunately, 107 people have been confirmed dead, with 146 still missing, as per the Congolese humanitarian affairs ministry. This incident happened just a day after another accident in Basankusu territory, also in Equateur Province, where at least 86 individuals lost their lives, the majority of whom were reportedly students. Despite images showing villagers gathered around the deceased, the exact cause of the accidents remains unclear. State media have attributed the first incident to "improper loading and night navigation." In response, a local civil society group has criticized the government and claimed that the death toll could be higher. These boat tragedies are becoming more frequent in this central African nation as more people opt for cheaper, wooden vessels due to limited road infrastructure. These boats are often overloaded, lack life jackets, and frequently travel at night, hampering rescue efforts and leaving many victims unaccounted for.