A vessel carrying hundreds of passengers sank in Lake Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on October 3, 2024, with reports confirming at least 78 fatalities.
The boat, which was carrying 278 passengers, capsized while attempting to dock near the port of Kituku in the west of Goma. According to South Kivu governor Jean-Jacques Purusi, the incident occurred during a relatively short journey from Minova in South Kivu province to Goma in North Kivu.
This tragic event highlights ongoing safety concerns regarding passenger vessels in the region, which are often overloaded and lack adequate safety measures. The loss of life adds to the urgency for regulatory reforms to prevent such disasters in the future.
The international community is expected to respond with calls for improved maritime safety standards in DRC, as similar incidents have raised alarms about the safety of waterways in the region.