A tragic boat accident on Lake Kivu has resulted in the deaths of at least 78 people, with dozens more still missing. The vessel, carrying an estimated 278 passengers, capsized just 100 meters from its destination at the shore of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, on Thursday morning, Al Jazeera reports.
Governor of South Kivu province, Jean Jacques Purisi, confirmed the grim toll, saying that the boat had departed from Minova in South Kivu. While the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation, the boat was reportedly severely overcrowded, a common occurrence in the region due to the ongoing armed conflict.
The governor of North Kivu province, Carly Nzanzu Kasivita, reported that at least 58 survivors have been rescued and are receiving medical attention. However, fears are mounting that the number of fatalities could rise as search and rescue operations continue.
The accident underscores the precarious situation in eastern DRC, where fighting between Congolese government forces and the M23 rebel group has escalated in recent months. Many residents have resorted to dangerous water crossings to avoid land travel in areas controlled by armed groups.
The M23, which launched its offensive in late 2021, has seized vast swathes of territory in the eastern DRC, contributing to the region’s instability and increasing the presence of armed groups. The tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
