20 dead as ferry capsizes on DR Congo’s lake Kivu

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20 dead as ferry capsizes on DR Congo’s lake Kivu

At least 20 bodies have been recovered from Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after a ferry capsized just a few hundred meters from its destination.

The tragic incident occurred on Thursday morning as the boat, which had departed from Minova in South Kivu, was nearing Goma’s shore.

A video circulating online shows the ferry tilting to one side before sinking into the lake. While the exact number of passengers remains unknown, survivors told Reuters that the boat may have been carrying at least 200 people.

Local migration authorities reported that 45 males and 35 females were registered as passengers, though their ages have not yet been verified.

Aaron Ashuza, a local activist at the scene, told the BBC he witnessed bodies being pulled from the water, and several injured passengers were rushed to the hospital.

Among the casualties, at least two children died shortly after being admitted to medical facilities, according to AFP.

Boat accidents are common in the DRC, where ferries are often overcrowded, safety jackets are scarce, and many passengers cannot swim.

Rescue operations are further hampered by the absence of passenger manifests on many vessels, making it difficult to ascertain the full number of victims.