A devastating boat accident on the Congo River in Equateur province has claimed the lives of over 50 people.
The overloaded vessel, carrying approximately 100 passengers, sank between Monday night and Tuesday near Mayita.
This town is situated roughly 40 kilometers from Mbandaka city, plunging the region into mourning.
The grim provisional death toll was confirmed by Maitre Kolomba Mampunia of the Red Cross Equator Division.
The boat, named Fortune HB Jado, was en route to the Mobenzani market from Mbandaka.
Reports indicate the vessel’s roof collapsed during docking procedures, contributing to the tragic loss of life.
Authorities attribute the catastrophe to a blatant disregard for essential navigation protocols.
Overloading and the perilous practice of night navigation are cited as primary factors in the shipwreck.
Mbandaka river commissioner Mboyo Loyoko emphasized this non-compliance.
Equateur Governor Bobo Boloko Bolumbu has dispatched a Red Cross team to the site.
Humanitarian efforts are underway as search operations continue for the many individuals still unaccounted for in the river’s unforgiving depths.
The incident underscores the persistent dangers of river travel in the region.