At least 78 people have died after a ferry capsized in Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, just a few hundred meters from its destination.
The boat was traveling from the town of Minova in South Kivu and sank as it arrived on Goma's shore on Thursday morning.
In a video making rounds on social media, the boat is seen tilting to one side and then sinking.
Joining other voices to present my condolences to the families of the dozens of men, women and children who drowned in Lake Kivu, DR Congo, this 3 October 2024. pic.twitter.com/lX7vvSDRks
— Innocent Balemba Zahinda (@InnocentBalemba) October 3, 2024Did you read this?
According to South Kivu Governor Jean Jacques Purisi, there were 278 passengers onboard.
“It'll take at least three days to get the exact numbers, because not all the bodies have been found yet," he said.
According to AFP, at least two children died after they were taken to hospital after the accident.
Speaking from his hospital bed, 51-year-old survivor Alfani Buroko Byamungu, told Reuters news agency that conditions on the water seemed "calm".
"I saw people sinking, many went under. I saw women and children sinking in the water, and I myself was on the verge of drowning, but God helped me."
Bahati Selemani, a dock worker who took part in the rescue effort, described what happened.
"We saw the boat start to capsize. We noticed that the boat was very overloaded and there were also strong waves.”
"After that, the boat started to capsize little by little. Those who were upstairs started to throw themselves into the lake, and the boat capsized directly into the lake,” he added.
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