At least 41 people have died and 49 were rescued after a boat sank on Lake Tanganyika between Tanzania and DR Congo. Search operations are continuing for possible missing passengers.
At least 41 people have died after a boat sank on Lake Tanganyika between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to Congolese provincial authorities cited by the Associated Press.
The boat, which was carrying around 100 people and goods, capsized on Thursday while travelling between Kigoma, Tanzania, and Kalemie, in DRC’s Tanganyika Province. The accident occurred near the village of Mapera, on the Congolese side.
Tanganyika Provincial Transport Minister Norris Mulongoyi said 49 people had been rescued and that search operations were continuing for passengers who may still be missing.
Passengers awakened during the night
A survivor, Annie Moyoni, told Radio Okapi that passengers were sleeping when they were awakened at around 1 a.m. and noticed that the boat was beginning to tilt to one side.
Local fishermen were among those who took part in the initial rescue efforts.
The exact cause of the sinking has not yet been established. Authorities have not confirmed that overloading was responsible for the accident.
An important route between Tanzania and DRC
The maritime route between Kigoma and Kalemie is an important transport link for passengers and goods between Tanzania and eastern DRC.
Lake Tanganyika is one of the main transport routes in this part of the Great Lakes region, particularly for areas where road infrastructure remains limited.
The latest sinking comes less than a month after another accident involving a Congolese vessel on the same route. On August 28, the MV Pacifique caught fire and exploded at the port of Kigoma while loading fuel. Six crew members died and one person was reported missing, according to Radio Okapi.
In July, at least 20 people also died when a wooden boat carrying students returning from national examinations sank in DRC.
Search operations continue
Search and rescue operations are continuing on Lake Tanganyika to locate people who may still be missing.
The final death toll has therefore not yet been established. Authorities are expected to provide further information as rescue and search operations progress.
SOURCES
- Associated Press, via Al Jazeera