 Sunset view from Kalonda | |
| Date | 12 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Type | Ship sinking |
| Deaths | At least 86 (including 21 children) [1] |
On 10 June 2024, the ship HB la Saintet sank in the Kwa River, a tributary of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing at least 86 people [2] including 21 children. [1]
Due to the fact that there are few paved roads in the Congo, rivers and lakes are often used to transport goods and people. [3] Boat overcrowding and poor safety measures on ships have long been significant problems in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [4] [5] Not all passengers are able to swim and they are rarely provided with lifevests. [6]
A ferry capsized on the Kasai River in 2010, killing between 80 and 140 people. [7] Another overcrowded ship was overturned in Mbandaka and killed at least 52 in October 2023. [8] More recently, a boat capsized on Lake Kivu in the eastern part of the country in January 2024, killing most of its 50 passengers. [9]
On 10 June 2024 at around 23:00 CAT (UTC +2:00), an overloaded ship heading from Mushie to the town of Lebida [10] experienced engine failure, and crashed either into the shore [11] or into a second boat [12] and sank in the Kasai River. [13]
The incident occurred in Mai-Ndombe Province, about 70 km (43 mi) from Mushie. Out of 271 people on the ship, 86 died, including 21 children. Over 100 people were rescued, [2] and according to a Mushi District commissioner, as many as 185 were able to swim to the shore. [14]
According to one official, the boat was carrying bags of cement in addition to the passengers, and was overloaded. [9]
President Félix Tshisekedi said that victims will receive assistance and an investigation would be conducted into the cause of the disaster. [13]
