DR Congo: Boat accidents leave over 190 dead, scores missing – DW – 09/13/2025

BREAKING NEWS At least 193 people have lost their lives in two separate boat accidents in the Democratic Republic of Congo this week. Wednesday's Tragedy On Wednesday, a motorized boat capsized at the confluence of the Nsolo and Great Maringa rivers in Basankusu territory. The vessel was carrying 86 students, with only one survivor reported. Authorities confirmed that 85 people died on impact, while one student managed to swim to safety. Thursday's Disaster Just hours later, another boat caught fire while traveling on the Congo River near Malange village, Lukolela territory. The blaze destroyed the vessel and ignited nearby homes, leaving 146 passengers missing. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with 209 survivors rescued so far. Immediate Response Naval personnel and local volunteers have joined forces to assist in search and rescue operations. Authorities are working tirelessly to locate those still missing and provide aid to affected families. Context Boat accidents are a common occurrence in the DR Congo, where waterways are often congested with vessels carrying passengers and cargo. The country's poor infrastructure and lack of safety measures contribute to these tragic incidents. What Happens Next As rescue efforts continue, authorities will work to investigate the causes of both accidents and implement measures to prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Dw reporting.*