The vessels, carrying over 100 passengers, set off on Wednesday afternoon from Bikoro port despite warnings of unstable weather and clear signs of overloading, according to a statement from the Provincial Coordination of the Panel of Civil Society Experts of Equateur.
'Witnesses reported that the overcrowding was so severe that passengers were being turned away from the canoes,' said Akula Dieu, a member of the civil society group.
Authorities say the boats had been hired by a family to transport people attending a funeral. The group departed from an unauthorised location, which may have contributed to the tragedy. Bikoro Lake Commissioner Gabriel Ifulu Bongolomba said the vessels were struck by heavy waves brought on by rain, causing them to overturn.
Officials said rescue operations face serious challenges due to a lack of basic equipment such as life jackets, rescue boats, and even fuel.
'We're forced to requisition private boats for this type of operation, but sometimes we don't even have enough fuel to carry out our work properly,' Bongolomba told the media.
Boat accidents are a frequent and deadly occurrence on Congolese waterways, largely due to overloading, weak regulatory enforcement, and the widespread absence of basic safety precautions.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/over-30-people-dead-after-boats-capsize-in-drc
