A boat accident on the Kwango River, a tributary of the Congo River in the southwestern province of Kwango, Democratic Republic of the Congo, has resulted in four confirmed deaths and around 40 people missing, according to local authorities. Deputy Governor Remy Saki reported that 79 individuals survived the incident.
The vessel, which had approximately 150 passengers on board, struck a bridge and sank. Rescue operations are ongoing, though conditions are challenging. Authorities are working to locate the vessel and determine if there are bodies trapped inside.
The DRC frequently experiences boat accidents due to its poor road network, with boats being a common mode of transportation. Previous incidents include a similar capsizing in July that claimed 25 lives and a major sinking in 2019 with about 100 fatalities.