At least 25 people lost their lives after a boat capsized on the Kwa River in southwestern Congo, authorities confirmed on Monday. Most of the deceased were soccer players who were returning from a match in Mushie city on Sunday.
According to provincial spokesman Alexis Mputu, the boat overturned while navigating the river at night. Renacle Kwatiba, the local administrator of Mushie territory, reported that at least 30 people survived the tragedy. Mputu suggested that poor visibility in the darkness may have contributed to the accident.
Boat accidents are common in the central African country, where overcrowding and unsafe travel conditions often lead to disasters. Authorities continue to struggle with enforcing maritime regulations, as many people rely on rivers for transportation due to a lack of infrastructure. In recent years, hundreds of people have died in similar incidents as wooden boats overcrowded with passengers and goods remain a primary mode of travel.
One Dead, 180 Missing After Boats Sink Off Yemen
In a separate maritime disaster, four boats carrying migrants sank off the coasts of Djibouti and Yemen, leaving at least one person dead and more than 180 missing, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The sinkings occurred late Thursday along a dangerous migration route frequently used by Ethiopians attempting to reach Gulf countries in search of work or to escape conflict.
According to Abdusattor Esoev, the IOM’s country chief of mission, two of the missing boats were believed to be carrying at least 30 and 150 passengers, respectively.
Sources By Agencies
