DRC: 4 Dead, 150 Missing after Boat Capsizes

At least four people have been confirmed dead after a motorised boat sank on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to a statement tweeted by President Felix Tshisekedi, the overloaded vessel capsized on Monday evening, 15 April, while making a trip from the port of Kituku, Goma in the country’s North Kivu province. The boat sank near Kalehe in the neighbouring province of South Kivu.

Maritime officials believe that the majority of the passengers were traders who made weekly trips across the lake.

Vital Muhini, the national deputy from South Kivu province, commented on the sinking: “The people had no life jackets … which calls for the sanctions of all the perpetrators who contributed to this sinking.”

At least 37 people were rescued from the incident. However, according to Tshisekedi, at least 150 people remain missing, which may result in the death toll rising.

Local fishermen are currently conducting a rescue operation to recover the missing passengers. The cause of the sinking is also being investigated.