Sat Oct 05 08:49:49 UTC 2024: ## Ferry Capsizes on Lake Kivu, Killing at Least 78 in DRC
**Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo** – A ferry carrying 278 passengers capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern DRC on Thursday morning, leaving at least 78 people dead. The vessel, en route from Minova to Goma, sank just a few hundred meters from its destination.
The incident, captured on video, shows the ferry tilting dramatically before disappearing underwater. According to Governor Jean Jacques Purisi, the majority of passengers were women and children traveling to celebrate the Muslim festival of Mawlid. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the exact number of victims may take days to confirm as bodies are still being recovered.
Survivors, like 51-year-old Alfani Buroko Byamungu, described chaotic scenes as the ferry capsized. “I saw people sinking, many went under. I saw women and children sinking in the water, and I myself was on the verge of drowning, but God helped me,” he said.
Dock worker Bahati Selemani, who participated in the rescue efforts, attributed the tragedy to overcrowding and strong waves. “We saw the boat start to capsize… the boat was very overloaded… and those who were upstairs started to throw themselves into the lake,” he explained.
Tragically, this incident is not isolated. Overcrowded ferries, lack of safety equipment, and poor safety practices are common in DRC, contributing to frequent accidents. Rescue operations are often hampered by the absence of passenger manifests, further hindering efforts to account for all passengers.
First Piper 