At Least 30 Dead, Dozens Missing After Boat Collision in DR Congo

At least 30 people drowned and dozens are missing after two boats collided on Sunday evening in the Ngombe-Lukolela area of Equateur province, in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo, Al Jazeera reports.

The vessels involved were a metal boat from Kinshasa, "Dieu se cache", and a wooden boat from Businga, "HB Super Victoire". The cause of the collision is unclear, but it happened during night-time navigation. A security witness said the Kinshasa-bound vessel was overloaded with goods.

Interior Minister Crispin Mputu said almost all the passengers on board were trapped underwater and that the boat itself sank. He noted that many accidents occur when boats travel at night. Search and rescue efforts were launched, and the dead have been buried, according to the report.

Boat accidents are common in the DRC, where overcrowding, poor safety standards and travel after dark are frequent contributing factors. The final death toll has not been confirmed.