A boat sinks in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo, leaving over 100 people missing

Local media reported on Tuesday that over 100 individuals are believed to be missing following the sinking of a canoe in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Sunday.

The canoe, which was carrying approximately 300 individuals, capsized on the Lukenie River in Mai-Ndombe Province at approximately 7 p.m. local time after colliding with submerged wood fragments, according to local officials.

According to local media reports, the number of casualties is difficult to determine, and only a few dozen individuals survived. Additionally, numerous carcasses have been discovered.

The tragedy was met with dismay by Nkoso Kevani Lebon, the governor of Mai-Ndombe, who pledged to conduct an investigation into the matter in order to determine the parties responsible.

“We must have boats that are secure.” This is a component of our initiative, and in a few months, there will be secure vessels. The governor announced that a team of provincial security committee members is currently in the process of establishing responsibilities.

In June, a canoe capsized on the Kwa River, a tributary of the Congo River, in the province of Mai-Ndombe, resulting in the deaths of at least 86 individuals, 21 of whom were minors.