78 people killed after boat capsizes in Congo

At least 78 people have died after a boat capsized in Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The boat capsized in Lake Kivu on Thursday, with well over 200 people on board.

The governor of South Kivu, Jean-Jacques Purusi, was quoted by news agencies as saying that 78 people were dead, after a vessel carrying 278 passengers capsized and sank.

The boat, which had come from the town of Minova in South Kivu province, sank on Thursday morning, only 100 metres (328 feet) from its destination at the shore of Goma.

“Many died, and few were saved,” she added. “I couldn't help them because I don't know how to swim.”
Local officials earlier reported that as many as 50 were rescued as search and rescue efforts continued.
Road infrastructure is relatively underdeveloped in the DRC and travelers in remote areas have few options available, meaning boats and ferries are the only choice for some.

Overloaded boats sinking are not uncommon, despite warnings from local officials that those violating safety measures will be punished.

In June, 80 people lost their lives when a boat sank near the capital Kinshasa while in January, 22 people died when their boat capsized in Lake Mai-Ndombe.