30 Dead, Search Continues After Congo River Boat Collision

Crispin Mboto, the interior minister of Équateur province, confirmed that thirty victims from a boat collision have already been buried. The incident occurred on Sunday when two wooden vessels equipped with engines struck each other near the Ngombi Lokolela area within the province.

Details of the Vessel Collision

The cause of the accident remains unclear at this stage. According to Minister Mboto, one of the boats was traveling from Obangi in the northwest of the country toward the capital, Kinshasa. The second vessel was moving in the opposite direction, heading from Kinshasa to Lokolela, close to the site where the impact took place.

Mboto provided these details in a statement to the Associated Press. He noted that the location of the crash is situated near the destination of the second boat.

Ongoing Rescue Operations

Search efforts are currently underway to locate additional victims and survivors. The minister stated that these operations continue as authorities work to assess the full extent of the casualties resulting from the collision on the river.