More Than 30 Dead in Boat Capsizing on the Kwango River

At least 30 people have died after a wooden boat (baleinière) capsized on Saturday, December 13, on the Kwango River, near Bolo village, in Bagata territory, Kwango province.

According to National Assembly member Gary Sakata, who spoke on Monday to Radio Okapi, most of the victims were teachers traveling to Bandundu to collect their salaries. Several passengers are still reported missing, and the exact cause of the accident has not yet been established.

The boat was carrying more than 100 passengers along with around 700 sacks of maize and cassava, coming from the villages of Kingukukapayi, Kusu, and Fambondo. It reportedly hit an obstacle, causing it to capsize and resulting in the loss of all luggage.

Some passengers were also traveling to Bandundu to prepare for end-of-year celebrations, Sakata added.

The tragedy follows a similar incident on the Kwango River in September 2024, when another boat capsized, killing 12 people and leaving several others injured or missing.