At least 78 people have died after a ferry capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, just a few hundred meters from its destination. The boat, which was carrying 278 passengers, was en route from Minova in South Kivu to Goma’s shore when it sank on Thursday morning. A video circulating online captured the tragic moment the ferry tilted to one side before disappearing beneath the water.
Governor Jean Jacques Purisi confirmed the death toll but cautioned that it could rise as rescue teams continue to recover bodies. “It’ll take at least three days to get the exact numbers, because not all the bodies have been found yet,” Purisi told Reuters.
Aaron Ashuza, a local activist at the scene, reported witnessing bodies being pulled from the lake and said the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. According to AFP, at least two children succumbed to their injuries after being hospitalised.
Survivor Alfani Buroko Byamungu, 51, spoke from his hospital bed, described the water condition as “calm” before the ferry began to sink. “I saw people sinking, many went under. I saw women and children sinking in the water, and I myself was on the verge of drowning, but God helped me,” he recounted.
Bahati Selemani, a dock worker who took part in the rescue operation, described the scene saying, “The boat was very overloaded, and there were also strong waves.” As the vessel began to tip, passengers on the upper deck jumped into the lake in a desperate attempt to escape. Within moments, the boat fully capsized.
Ferry accidents are tragically common in DR Congo, where boats are frequently overcrowded, safety equipment is scarce, and many passengers are unable to swim. The lack of proper passenger manifests complicates rescue efforts, as authorities often struggle to account for everyone on board.
Rescue teams continue to search Lake Kivu for more victims in the aftermath of this devastating accident.
Melissa Enoch
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