Reuters, Mai-Ndombe
Published:16 Feb 2021, 12:19 PM
60 killed in DR Congo boat accident
At least 60 people died after a boat sank in Lake Mai-Ndombe
in the western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities said
on Monday. Anadolu Agency reports the accident happened late Sunday night near
the village of Longola Ekoti in the Mai-Ndombe province.
Congolese Minister of Humanitarian Action Steve Mbikayi said
In a tweet on Monday that, the boat had been overloaded with over 700
passengers. He said they have found 300 survivors so far, but hundreds remain
missing.
Mbikayi said, "We sympathize with the bereaved families
and demand sanctions against all those responsible". The boat was coming
from the capital Kinshasa and was heading for Mbandaka in the Equateur province
when it capsized near Longola Ekoti.
Boat accidents often result in heavy casualties, and most
accidents that happen in remote places in the Democratic Republic of Congo are
not even reported.
Most of the accidents occur mainly due to overloading, non-compliance with navigation standards, and poor condition of vessels.