Dozens dead as two boats collide on the Congo River

By Jean-Yves Kamale, KINSHASA DR Congo

Dozens of people are dead and several others are reported missing after two boats collided on the Congo River near Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday.

In dramatic images taken moments after they crashed into one another, horrified residents can be seen watching from the riverbank as small boats raced out in a bid to rescue passengers.

It was not immediately clear how many were saved or what caused the accident between the two boats which were loaded with people and goods.

It was not known what caused the boats loaded with people and goods to collide.

Deadly boating accidents occur frequently in Congo as crews often overload small wooden vessels. 

Rivers are key to transport in the vast central African country with some of the world’s least developed road infrastructure. Most river traffic is run by small, informal operators, and officials have warned that adherence to maritime regulations is poor.

In January, most of the 50 passengers aboard a wooden boat that capsized on a lake in eastern Congo were presumed dead.