At least 20 drown as boat carrying students after exams sinks in DR Congo

At least 20 people have died after a wooden boat carrying students returning from state exams sank in central Democratic Republic of the Congo. The vessel went down Friday in Kasai province as it entered the confluence of the Sankuru and Kasai rivers. Witnesses reported the boat may have been carrying over 200 passengers. Authorities stated there were 80 survivors and 20 bodies recovered. Deadly boat disasters are frequent in the country, often attributed to night-time travel, overcrowded vessels, poor safety standards, and a lack of infrastructure. Shipowners are criticized for prioritizing profit over human lives.

A wooden boat carrying students returning from state exams sank in central Congo's Kasai province, resulting in at least 20 confirmed deaths. The incident occurred Friday as the vessel entered the confluence of the Sankuru and Kasai rivers. Authorities reported 80 survivors and 20 bodies, though witnesses suggest the boat was carrying over 200 people. Deadly boating accidents are frequent in the Democratic Republic of Congo, often attributed to late-night travel, overcrowded vessels, poor safety standards, and inadequate infrastructure in remote areas. Shipowners are criticized for prioritizing profit over passenger safety.