A boat accident on the Lukeni river in western Congo over the weekend left at least 20 people dead and hundreds missing, a local official said Tuesday.
It was the latest deadly boat accident in the central African country, where overloading is often to blame, including i n June when an overloaded boat sank near the capital and 80 passengers lost their lives.
In the latest accident, the motorized wooden boat was carrying about 300 passengers and navigating by night when it crashed into a sunken barge, Kutu territory administrator Jacques Nzenza Mongie said during a news conference.
At least 20 corpses were found during searches Tuesday, Mongie told The Associated Press. An additional 46 people were rescued and hundreds were still missing, he said.
Navigating by night is illegal in Congo, and a provincial commission is currently at the site of the accident to determine who was responsible, Gov. Lebon Nkoso Kevan of Maï-Ndombe province said Tuesday.
Congolese officials have often warned against overloading and vowed to punish those violating safety measures for water transportation.
Latest Stories
-
X says its return in Brazil after ban ‘inadvertant’
2 mins -
I’ll give you accessible and quality leadership – Prof Titus assures Lambusie constituency
3 hours -
UCL: Gazzaniga howler sees Girona lose to PSG
3 hours -
UCL: Dortmund start new campaign with 03 win over Club Brugge
3 hours -
UCL: Man City, Inter play out goalless draw at Etihad
3 hours -
Independent presidential aspirant Dr. Sam Ankrah vows to mechanise agriculture if elected
4 hours -
We don’t have to sell ECG; let’s take out political interference – John Jinapor
4 hours -
Government to spend $7.65bn to complete Agenda 111 projects – Health Minister
4 hours -
Privatisation of ECG will be an admission of failure – PURC
5 hours -
Bawumia promises mini harbour, sea defense for Sege
5 hours -
Constant venue change negatively affects Ghana Premier League – Prosper Ogum
5 hours -
We’ll defy injunction orders and protest – Baker-Vormawor
6 hours -
Police secures injunction against Democracy Hub planned protest
6 hours -
MTN launches 4-In-One internet solution for SME operators
6 hours -
Bawumia storms MTN office in Ada in street campaign
7 hours