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At least 12 people have died and dozens remain missing after a vessel carrying fish traders capsized on Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to Al Jazeera and The Associated Press.
The vessel overturned on Saturday night near Idjwi Island in South Kivu province while carrying more than 50 people, Félix Habiragi, chief of the nearby village of Kisheke, said. About 15 people were rescued, while the cause of the accident was not immediately known.
Rescue efforts under way
The vessel was transporting fish traders and goods from Bwina on Idjwi Island to Boza, according to local administrator Muhindo Ntambuka Pascal. Videos apparently filmed at the scene showed villagers and other passengers retrieving bodies from the lake.
“The authorities had, in particular, begun requiring passengers to wear life jackets. Today, however, many people continue to travel without them,” said Dorcelle Bagazane, a civil society member in Idjwi.
Recent boat disaster in DRC
Boat accidents are common in the DRC, where rivers and lakes are major transport routes for more than 100 million people. Vessels are frequently overloaded with passengers and goods, and many travellers do not wear life jackets.
The incident occurred just two days after at least 41 people died when another boat capsized on Lake Tanganyika. Forty-nine people were rescued after the vessel, reportedly carrying about 100 passengers and cargo, overturned near the Congolese village of Mapera.
