DRC: Tragic shipwreck on Lake Kivu leaves around twenty dead
A new tragedy struck the Democratic Republic of Congo this Thursday morning with the sinking of a boat on Lake Kivu. According to port and security sources, nearly twenty bodies have already been recovered after the boat carrying men and goods capsized off the coast of Goma, the capital of the province of North Kivu.
Bodies found and survivors in critical condition
According to a security source at the Kituku port in Goma, “17 bodies have been found,” specifying that survivors had been transported to hospital in critical condition. Another source, affiliated with the port authorities, confirmed the number of victims, mentioning “18 bodies already transported to different morgues.” Rescue operations continue despite the difficult conditions.
A heavy human toll, including children
Among the victims are children. A medical source said that two children, rushed to hospital, succumbed to their injuries before even receiving the necessary care. This shipwreck, although unfortunately frequent on the lakes of the region, raises questions about the safety conditions of the boats and the non-compliance with transport standards in the DRC.
Conclusion
This tragic event on Lake Kivu once again highlights the risks associated with boat travel in this region of eastern DRC. As rescue operations continue, the death toll could rise further, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen safety and regulation of river transport to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
