GOMA: Rescuers have recovered around 20 bodies after a boat carrying people and goods capsized on Thursday morning on Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), security and harbour sources said.
The boat, which had come from the town of Minova in the South Kivu province, sank just 100 meters (109 yards) away from its destination at the shore of Goma, the capital of neighbouring North Kivu province.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with reports indicating that 17 bodies were observed by a security source at Kituku harbour in Goma. Another source from the port authorities confirmed that 18 bodies had been recovered so far. The deceased have been transported to various morgues in the area.
The exact number of passengers on board remains unclear, but it is known that two children were among those taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, both succumbed to their injuries before receiving treatment, according to medical sources.
The incident occurred as many residents increasingly chose to travel across Lake Kivu by boat to reach Goma, opting for this route to avoid overland travel in an area affected by the ongoing conflict between Congolese government forces and the rebel group M23.
M23, a militia supported by Rwanda and primarily composed of Tutsi fighters, has gained significant territory in the eastern DRC since launching an offensive in late 2021. This region is mineral-rich but has been marred by violence from various armed groups for the past three decades.
Deadly shipwrecks are a frequent occurrence in the DRC, where deteriorating roads and a lack of passenger lists hinder rescue and recovery efforts.
