Congo Mourns After Boat Disaster: 86 Dead, Mostly Schoolchildren

A devastating boat accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed the lives of 86 individuals, primarily students. The incident took place in the Equateur province, specifically near Basankusu. The vessel, a motorized boat, overturned, leading to the loss of life. Overloading of passengers and goods has been cited as a contributing factor. The boat was navigating at night, and the ensuing imbalance caused the vessel to capsize. Rescue teams are working to locate those still unaccounted for, with support from local villagers. The majority of the victims were students traveling to different towns for educational purposes, bringing immense sorrow to their families and communities. Investigations suggest the accident was caused by improper loading and nighttime navigation, both of which are often factors in such incidents in the region.