A devastating ferry accident on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo has claimed the lives of at least 87 people, with dozens still missing.
The ferry, which departed from Minova in South Kivu, capsized near the port of Kituku, located on the outskirts of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
Local authorities recovered 87 bodies and transported them to Goma’s general hospital morgue, while they rushed nine survivors to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.
However, the fate of 78 other passengers remains uncertain, as they are still missing following the tragic incident.
According to reports, the vessel was unable to withstand powerful waves, leading to its capsizing just 700 meters from Kituku’s port.
The exact number of passengers aboard the ferry remains unknown, adding to the distress of the local population who anxiously gathered at the port in hopes of identifying their missing loved ones.
For months, travel by road between Goma and Minova has been severely disrupted due to ongoing conflict between armed groups and the Congolese military.
As a result, residents have increasingly turned to lake transport, where accidents are frequent, often caused by severe weather conditions and overcrowding on vessels.
The incident highlights the growing danger faced by civilians in the region, already beleaguered by conflict and lacking safe transportation alternatives.
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