At least 32 people have died and dozens more are missing after two overloaded boats capsized on Lake Tumba in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Equateur Province, local officials confirmed on Thursday.
The vessels had left Bikoro port on Wednesday afternoon with over 100 passengers aboard, despite warnings about unstable weather and clear signs of overloading, according to a statement from the Provincial Coordination of the Panel of Civil Society Experts of Equateur.
Akula Dieu, a representative of the civil society group, said some passengers were reportedly turned away because of the severe overcrowding. The boats were said to be carrying mourners to a funeral and had departed from an unauthorised location.
Heavy rains triggered large waves that struck the boats shortly after departure, causing them to sink, said Bikoro Lake Commissioner Gabriel Ifulu Bongolomba. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, but Bongolomba admitted the effort is hampered by a lack of resources, including basic rescue equipment and fuel.
“We’re forced to rely on private boats for these missions,” he said, noting that rescue teams often operate without life jackets or functioning engines.
