20 Killed, Scores Missing As Boat Carrying 300 People Capsizes In Lukeni River

• Tragedy has struck in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a boat carrying nearly 300 passengers capsized
• Kutu District Administrator Jacques Nzena said the ill-fated vessel overturned after it hit tree trunks underwater
• So far, 20 of the passengers have been confirmed dead, even as authorities continue with rescue efforts

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Congo - At least 20 people have been confirmed dead following a boat accident in the territory of Kutu in Mai-Ndombe province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

How many people have been rescued in Congo boat accident?

The accident occurred on Sunday night, August 19, after the boat carrying about 300 people capsized in Lukeni River.

Kutu District Administrator Jacques Nzena told reporters that 20 bodies were retrieved on Tuesday, August 20, with 46 people rescued.

Nzenza said the crowded motorized wooden vessel headed to the town of Nioki was carrying goods and about 300 people when it hit something in the water and sank.

He said a 9-month-old baby and four women were among the retrieved bodies as the search for more bodies continued.

“We are constantly reminding everyone that it is forbidden to sail at night because it is very dangerous,” Nzenza said, as reported by Voice of America.

Some of the survivors said the boat hit tree trunks underwater and overturned.

The accident comes two months after another boat capsized in June, killing more than 80 people in the Kwa River.

15 killed in boat accident in Mauritania

In another tragic incident in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, a boat carrying approximately 300 people capsized, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 passengers.

According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), over 150 people remained unaccounted for, while 120 were fortunate to be rescued by the Mauritanian Coast Guard during search efforts.

Al Jazeera reported that the victims had spent seven days at sea before the devastating accident occurred.

According to the report, all the victims were suspected migrant workers seeking asylum and better opportunities in Europe.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke