Over 10 children missing after boat capsizes in DR Congo
More than 10 children are missing after a wooden boat carrying about a dozen passengers capsized on a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo, civil society officials said late Thursday.
The accident occurred on Wednesday on the Lulua River in Demba territory of Kasai-Central province, according to Marcel Masanka, the territory’s civil society coordinator, Anadolu Agency reported.
“The children, all about 10 years old, were crossing the river to collect caterpillars when the boat sank. The captain lost control due to strong water currents,” Masanka told reporters, adding that rescue teams were continuing their search for the missing children.
Masanka said the boat captain was the only survivor after swimming to shore. He was later arrested and remains in police custody.
According to local media, the incident underscores the dangers faced by residents living along the Lulua River, where many people depend on small artisanal boats for transportation.
Masanka called on provincial authorities and development partners to take urgent action to improve safety and prevent similar accidents on the river.
Boat accidents are frequent in DR Congo, where many communities rely on rivers for transport because of poor or impassable road infrastructure.
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