At Least 50 Dead in Lake Kivu Boat Capsize

A tragic boat capsizing on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo has resulted in at least 50 deaths, with reports indicating that the vessel was severely overcrowded, carrying around 100 passengers instead of its 30-passenger capacity. The boat overturned just meters from the Kituku port while en route from Minova to Goma, with ten survivors being rescued and receiving treatment at a local hospital. Eyewitness accounts highlight the boat's instability before it sank, echoing previous maritime disasters in the region attributed to similar overcrowding issues. South Kivu province governor Jean-Jacques Purusi emphasized the persistent problem of overloaded vessels, despite warnings from local authorities. This incident is part of a troubling trend of boat accidents in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where inadequate transportation infrastructure often forces residents to rely on dangerous maritime options. The local community is blaming authorities for negligence as rescue efforts continue and the final death toll remains uncertain.