At Least 20 Students Killed in Boat Sinking in Congo

The Kabul Tribune (KT) — At least 20 people were killed
after a wooden boat carrying students home from state examinations capsized in
central Congo, The Associated Press (AP) reported, citing local authorities.

The accident occurred on Friday in Kasai province as the
boat was entering the confluence of the Sankuru and Kasai rivers, according to
witnesses.

Francois Kabula, administrator of Ilebo territory in Kasai
province, said rescue teams recovered 20 bodies while 80 people survived the
sinking.

However, a witness, Tshikudi Jean, told AP that the boat had
been carrying more than 200 passengers, suggesting the number of victims could
rise.

Deadly boat accidents are common in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo, where overcrowded vessels, nighttime travel, poor safety
standards and inadequate transport infrastructure frequently contribute to
fatal disasters.

François Malepo, president of the Ilebo civil society
organization, criticized boat operators for prioritizing profits over passenger
safety.

“The shipowners of the DRC are only after money and
don’t care about human lives,” Malepo told AP.