The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) witnessed yet another tragic incident on its waters as a river boat sank in western Mai-Ndombe province, killing at least 22 people. The overcrowded vessel, primarily transporting villagers between remote areas, succumbed to the stresses of overloading, collapsing the upper deck and plunging passengers into the river. This disaster highlights the dangers associated with the country’s reliance on aging wooden boats for transport and the urgent need for safer alternatives.
On Tuesday, the ill-fated boat was carrying as many as 100 passengers when it capsized. According to local officials, the boat was loaded beyond capacity with 15 women, five men, and two children among the victims. “Until we have safer, metallic boats, we will continue to have shipwrecks. There are thousands of these wooden ones circulating on the waters of Mai-Ndombe,” Lebon Nkoso Kevani, the provincial governor of Mai-Ndombe, told Reuters. This sentiment echoed the concerns of many locals who rely on these boats for daily commuting but often find themselves exposed to severe risks due to inadequate safety measures and poorly maintained vessels.
The cause of the collapse was attributed to the excessive weight on the upper deck, which compromised the structural integrity of the boat. Witnesses reported that the vessel had been packed with passengers and goods, far exceeding its designed capacity. “There were so many people on board, it was almost impossible for the boat to stay afloat,” one survivor recalled. The survivors managed to swim to safety or find refuge on nearby shores, though the fear and trauma of the incident remain etched in their memories.
Boating accidents are tragically common in the DRC, where the primary mode of transport between remote villages and towns is by river. Overloaded and poorly constructed wooden boats are often the only option for many people, leading to frequent fatalities. In October, a similar tragedy occurred in Lake Kivu when a boat carrying 278 passengers sank, killing at least 78 people. These recurring incidents underscore the critical need for reforms in the water transport sector, particularly the transition from wooden to metal boats, which are more durable and safer.
The provincial governor of Mai-Ndombe emphasized that local authorities had deployed a team to investigate the disaster and establish the full scale of the tragedy. “We are still in the process of identifying the missing persons and assessing the damage,” Kevani said. He also highlighted the difficulties faced by families trying to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones and the long-term impact of such disasters on communities. Many of the victims were the primary breadwinners for their families, leaving behind widows and orphans who now face an uncertain future.
Senator Anicet Babanga, who represents Mai-Ndombe province, reported that around 30 people were confirmed to have survived the wreck. The search for other missing passengers continues, with officials urging locals and volunteers to assist in the recovery efforts. The incident has once again brought attention to the issue of maritime safety in the DRC and the need for more robust regulatory frameworks to prevent such tragedies in the future. “This is a wake-up call for all of us,” Babanga said. “We need to put in place better safety measures and ensure that those who use these boats are educated on how to stay safe.”
The DRC’s dependency on river transport is rooted in its geography and lack of modern infrastructure. The country is crisscrossed by numerous rivers, and in many parts, roads are few and poorly maintained. For millions of Congolese, especially those living in remote areas, the boat remains the only viable means of transport. However, the safety and reliability of these boats are often compromised due to poor design, lack of maintenance, and the absence of regulatory oversight.
International organizations and local NGOs have been working to improve boat safety in the DRC by providing training for boat operators, advocating for better construction materials, and pushing for the introduction of safer boat designs. However, the process is slow and fraught with challenges, particularly in a country where political instability, corruption, and limited resources exacerbate the problem.
The recent boat accident in Mai-Ndombe should act as a catalyst for the DRC government to implement comprehensive reforms in the water transport sector. This includes not only transitioning to safer vessels but also enhancing monitoring and enforcement of safety regulations. In the absence of significant change, tragedies like this will continue to claim lives, undermining efforts to improve living standards and connectivity in the DRC.
As the search for the missing continues and families mourn their losses, the call for action grows louder. The DRC must confront the systemic issues that make its waters among the most perilous in the world and take meaningful steps towards safer, more reliable transport options for its people.
