No fewer than 30 people are reported to have drowned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after a boat capsized in the Congo River, Africa Today News, New York.
There are fears that the number of casualties could rise as search and rescue efforts continue.
Over 160 people are still missing as a result of the boat accident on Friday near Mbandaka in the north-west.
According to reports, the boat, which was sailing at night in breach of regulations, might have been overloaded.
Officials say it was carrying more than 300 people as well as cargo, including cement, fuel and iron bars.
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In the absence of a national road network, river transport is commonly used in DR Congo, and accidents are frequent.
In another report, a devastating boat mishap in Niger State reportedly claimed the lives of at least 22 persons onboard, on Monday.
On Monday morning, tragedy struck as the victims, en route from Kasabu village in Niger State’s Agwara Local Government Area to Yauri in Kebbi State, saw their boat capsize amid a downpour and strong winds.
As of Tuesday night, a search and rescue operation had only succeeded in recovering six bodies, and among them was the body of a Kebbi pastor who had made his home in Niger State.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency revealed that the majority of the victims were en route to do business transactions at the Monday Market in Yauri, Kebbi State, when the tragic incident happened.
Hussaine Ibrahim, who serves as the spokesperson for NSEMA, indicated that it is thought that the majority of the victims had not donned lifejackets.
There is an alarming recurrence of boat capsizes, leading to loss of life, and upon thorough examination, it becomes apparent that there are often inadequacies in implementing preventive measures to aid those in distress.