Sat Oct 05 08:50:04 UTC 2024: ## Overcrowded Boat Capsizes on Lake Kivu, Killing at Least 78
**Goma, DR Congo** – A tragic boat accident on Lake Kivu has claimed the lives of at least 78 people, with the death toll expected to rise. The overcrowded vessel, carrying approximately 100 passengers, sank near the port of Kituku on Thursday while en route from Minova to Goma.
The boat, designed for a maximum of 30 passengers, capsized just meters from the dock, sending scores of people into the water. Witnesses report that the boat began to lose its balance before rapidly sinking. Many passengers were unable to swim and perished, with only a handful rescued.
This incident marks the latest in a series of deadly boat accidents in the Democratic Republic of Congo, often attributed to overcrowding and lax enforcement of maritime safety regulations. In February, a similar incident on Lake Kivu left the majority of 50 passengers dead. Authorities have repeatedly warned against overloading vessels, but many in remote areas, with limited road access and financial resources, rely on water transport as their primary mode of travel.
The recent outbreak of violence between the armed forces and M23 rebels has further exacerbated the situation, making the road between Goma and Minova impassable and pushing many to utilize the lake for transportation.
Families of the victims and residents of Goma have gathered at the port of Kituku, expressing their grief and placing blame on authorities for negligence. Rescue efforts continue, though the exact number of casualties remains unclear.
First Piper 