At Least 12 Dead, Dozens Missing After Lake Kivu Vessel Capsizes

At least 12 people have died and dozens remain missing after a vessel carrying fish traders and goods capsized on Lake Kivu near Idjwi Island in South Kivu province, authorities said.

The vessel overturned on Saturday night while carrying more than 50 people, according to Félix Habiragi, chief of the village of Kisheke. About 15 people were rescued, he said, while the cause of the accident was not immediately known.

Vessel was travelling to Boza

Muhindo Ntambuka Pascal, a local administrator, said the vessel had departed from Bwina on Idjwi Island and was transporting fish traders and goods to Boza.

Videos appearing to come from the scene showed villagers and other passengers removing bodies from the lake, according to the report. The exact number of people still missing was not provided.

Dorcelle Bagazane, a civil society member in Idjwi, said authorities had begun requiring passengers to wear life jackets, but compliance remained limited.

“The authorities had, in particular, begun requiring passengers to wear life jackets. Today, however, many people continue to travel without them,” Bagazane said.

Recurring boat accidents

Boat accidents are common in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rivers and lakes serve as a major form of transport for more than 100 million people. Vessels are often loaded with both passengers and goods, while many travellers go without life jackets.

The Lake Kivu disaster occurred after another deadly boat accident earlier in the week. At least 41 people died and 49 were rescued when a boat carrying passengers and cargo capsized on Lake Tanganyika near the Congolese village of Mapera.