٠٠:٠١:٥٨Dozens of people lost their lives after a boat capsized in Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Officials confirmed that 278 individuals were onboard the vessel before it overturned on Thursday, with 78 killed, although later reports suggested the number could be over 100.
Footage from Port Kituku shows a family member fainting and being assisted by army personnel, as well as others grieving the loss of their loved ones. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are being conducted by army officials and other local authorities.
"It's not the first time this has happened. People come from Minova and capsize just before arriving in Kituku." said Aganze Enoc, a local. "It wasn't even a big wave. We think it could be something more mysterious." he alleged.
One eyewitness recalled the chaotic scene, claiming that the boat was heavily overloaded, with passengers clustered predominantly on one side.
"Just by looking at it, I told the people that I was concerned about observing the way the boat was behaving. All the passengers seemed to be on one side of the boat. When they tried to balance themselves, that's when the tragedy happened." one witness said.
The vessel, travelling from Minova in South Kivu, sank just 100 metres (328 feet) from the shore of Goma on Thursday morning. Locals often choose to cross Lake Kivu by boat to avoid areas afflicted by armed conflict between government forces and M23 militants.
Previously, Congolese officials had issued warnings against the overloading of boats and promised to penalise those flouting safety regulations. The precise cause of the latest tragedy was not known at time of publication.
'Not the first time this has happened!' - Locals mourn loved ones after 'unbalanced' Lake Kivu boat capsizes killing dozens in DRC
Dozens of people lost their lives after a boat capsized in Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Officials confirmed that 278 individuals were onboard the vessel before it overturned on Thursday, with 78 killed, although later reports suggested the number could be over 100.
Footage from Port Kituku shows a family member fainting and being assisted by army personnel, as well as others grieving the loss of their loved ones. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are being conducted by army officials and other local authorities.
"It's not the first time this has happened. People come from Minova and capsize just before arriving in Kituku." said Aganze Enoc, a local. "It wasn't even a big wave. We think it could be something more mysterious." he alleged.
One eyewitness recalled the chaotic scene, claiming that the boat was heavily overloaded, with passengers clustered predominantly on one side.
"Just by looking at it, I told the people that I was concerned about observing the way the boat was behaving. All the passengers seemed to be on one side of the boat. When they tried to balance themselves, that's when the tragedy happened." one witness said.
The vessel, travelling from Minova in South Kivu, sank just 100 metres (328 feet) from the shore of Goma on Thursday morning. Locals often choose to cross Lake Kivu by boat to avoid areas afflicted by armed conflict between government forces and M23 militants.
Previously, Congolese officials had issued warnings against the overloading of boats and promised to penalise those flouting safety regulations. The precise cause of the latest tragedy was not known at time of publication.
Dozens of people lost their lives after a boat capsized in Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Officials confirmed that 278 individuals were onboard the vessel before it overturned on Thursday, with 78 killed, although later reports suggested the number could be over 100.
Footage from Port Kituku shows a family member fainting and being assisted by army personnel, as well as others grieving the loss of their loved ones. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are being conducted by army officials and other local authorities.
"It's not the first time this has happened. People come from Minova and capsize just before arriving in Kituku." said Aganze Enoc, a local. "It wasn't even a big wave. We think it could be something more mysterious." he alleged.
One eyewitness recalled the chaotic scene, claiming that the boat was heavily overloaded, with passengers clustered predominantly on one side.
"Just by looking at it, I told the people that I was concerned about observing the way the boat was behaving. All the passengers seemed to be on one side of the boat. When they tried to balance themselves, that's when the tragedy happened." one witness said.
The vessel, travelling from Minova in South Kivu, sank just 100 metres (328 feet) from the shore of Goma on Thursday morning. Locals often choose to cross Lake Kivu by boat to avoid areas afflicted by armed conflict between government forces and M23 militants.
Previously, Congolese officials had issued warnings against the overloading of boats and promised to penalise those flouting safety regulations. The precise cause of the latest tragedy was not known at time of publication.