Tragedy in Congo: At least 126 people died after the ship sank, 45 people were saved

At least 126 people died after a boat sank in Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities said Thursday.

In the beginning, it was believed that there were more than 450 passengers on the ferry on the way to the eastern city of Goma, and later Venant manager Rugusha Descartes mentioned 700 passengers.

So far, 45 people have been rescued, while 126 bodies have been recovered by evening, he said.

Descartes says that it is possible that another 500 people died. The ship, which was probably overcrowded, capsized and sank quickly, shortly before landing.

He was traveling from the city of Minova in South Kivu province to Goma near the border with Rwanda, a dpa reporter from the scene reported.

The road network in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the second largest African country, is relatively underdeveloped, which is why ships and passenger ferries are often the only means of transportation for many people.

Serious ship accidents are not uncommon in Africa. Vessels are often old, in poor condition or overloaded, and safety regulations such as the provision of life jackets are often not followed.