At least 52 people have been confirmed dead and dozens more remain missing after two passenger boats capsized on Lake Tumba in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo, officials reported on Friday.
The vessels went down overnight between Wednesday and Thursday near the town of Bikoro, located roughly 128 kilometers (79 miles) from the provincial capital, Mbandaka, in Equateur province. The tragedy has prompted calls for accountability and urgent reforms to improve water transport safety in the region.
Dieu Merci Akula Mboyo, a representative of the Provincial Coordination of the Panel of Experts of Civil Society in Equateur, said the confirmed death toll currently stands at 52. He explained that the boats were overwhelmed by severe weather conditions, with strong winds and heavy rain contributing to the accident. Overcrowding also played a key role, he noted.
“The combination of excessive loading and violent weather led to the disaster,” Mboyo stated during a press briefing in Bikoro. He added that the boat operators had initially resisted demands to exceed capacity but eventually succumbed to pressure from passengers eager to travel.
Mboyo urged the national government to launch a full investigation to determine who should be held responsible. He emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of maritime regulations and public awareness campaigns to prevent similar tragedies on the country’s waterways.
Earlier on Thursday, Provincial Interior Minister Chrispin Moliy assured the public that both provincial and national authorities would ensure the victims’ bodies are given proper and respectful burials. Recovery efforts remain ongoing.
While the exact number of passengers aboard the vessels has yet to be verified, local media reports suggest around 100 people were likely on board. Authorities have not yet released a definitive figure for the number still missing.
Witnesses said the boats were heading from Bikoro to a nearby market village, a common route for traders and travelers in the area. However, the journey took a deadly turn as the boats encountered a violent storm during the night.
Accidents involving overcrowded and poorly maintained boats are not uncommon in the DR Congo, especially in remote areas where road infrastructure is limited and waterways serve as the primary mode of transportation. The latest incident has renewed concerns about the safety of river and lake travel in the country and highlighted the need for urgent reforms.