CANGO: Officials from the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced on Saturday, that at least 193 people have died as a result of two boat accidents in the past two days. In the most recent incident, which occurred on Thursday in the Lukolla territory of the Equateur province, a boat carrying approximately 500 passengers caught fire and subsequently capsized. Authorities reported that 107 people were killed, 146 are missing, and 209 were rescued. One day ago, in a separate incident in the Basankusu territory of the same province, at least 86 people—mostly students—lost their lives. State media have cited improper loading and nighttime travel as potential causes for these accidents. However, local groups hold the government responsible, emphasizing that wooden boats in the country are often overloaded, life jackets are scarce, and many vessels operate at night.
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