27 killed, 32 missing after boat accident in DR Congo

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – At least 27 people are confirmed dead and 32 still missing after a boat accident on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities said Wednesday.

The accident occurred Tuesday night when the boat capsized downstream of the Wendji-Secli locality about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of the city of Mbandaka in the province of Equateur, according to provincial spokesman Luc-Didier Mbula.

“As of Wednesday morning, 27 bodies had been recovered, including babies, while about 60 survivors were rescued,” Mbula told reporters, adding rescue efforts were still underway.

About 120 passengers were on board, he said.

The accident was attributed to a strong wind that sank the boat with passengers and goods.

It involved one of the motorized boats used for patrol movements by eco-guards from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN).

Leaving the village of Nkoto, the boat had transported the remains of a child who was to be buried at Wendji-Secli. But on the way back, several people who were returning from a weekly market got on board.