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At least 78 people have tragically died after a ferry capsized on Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, just a few hundred meters from its destination. The boat was traveling from Minova in South Kivu and sank as it approached Goma’s shore on Thursday morning.
The vessel, carrying 278 passengers, was reportedly overcrowded, and a video circulating online shows it tilting before sinking. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities estimating it will take at least three days to account for all the victims, as many bodies remain missing.
Local activist Aaron Ashuza, who witnessed the tragedy, described seeing bodies being recovered, and several injured passengers were taken to the hospital. At least two children are confirmed to have died after being hospitalized.
Survivor Alfani Buroko Byamungu, speaking from his hospital bed, recounted how he narrowly avoided drowning, describing the lake conditions as “calm” before the disaster struck. Another witness, dock worker Bahati Selemani, who helped in the rescue efforts, stated that the boat appeared overloaded and encountered strong waves before capsizing.
Boat accidents are frequent in DR Congo due to overcrowding, lack of safety jackets, and passengers’ inability to swim. This incident comes shortly after another tragedy in which over 100 passengers lost their lives on the River Niger.
