At least 12 people died after a boat capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern DR Congo.
Why it matters: The disaster adds to transport-safety concerns in eastern DR Congo, where boats are often a key link when roads are poor or blocked. It comes two days after another deadly capsizing in the country.
- The vessel capsized Saturday night near Idjwi Island in South Kivu province.
- It was carrying more than 50 people, including fish traders and goods traveling from Bwina to Boza.
- About 15 people were rescued, while dozens remained missing as search efforts continued.
- The Lake Kivu accident followed a Lake Tanganyika disaster two days earlier that killed at least 41 people.
At least 12 people were killed and dozens remained missing after a vessel carrying fish traders capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Al Jazeera and AP.
The vessel capsized Saturday night near Idjwi Island in South Kivu province, said Félix Habiragi, chief of Kisheke village near the scene. Local administrator Muhindo Ntambuka Pascal said the boat was carrying fish traders and goods from Bwina on Idjwi Island to Boza.
About 15 people were rescued. Authorities said the cause of the capsize was not immediately clear.
The Lake Kivu disaster came two days after another deadly boat accident on Lake Tanganyika, where at least 41 people died and 49 were rescued.
Boat accidents are common in the Democratic Republic of Congo because rivers and lakes are major transport corridors, but vessels are often overloaded and passengers frequently travel without life jackets.