• At least 193 people have died in two recent boat accidents in northwestern Congo.
• The accidents occurred in Equateur province, about 150 km apart.
• Problems like "improper loading and night navigation" are cited as causes.
• Survival rates are low due to overloaded vessels and lack of safety equipment.
• Authorities indicate that rescue operations face numerous challenges.

This week, two deadly boat accidents in northwestern Congo have resulted in at least 193 fatalities and left many more missing, according to CBS News, Al Jazeera, and Los Angeles Times. The incidents occurred approximately 150 km apart in Equateur province, with one boat capsizing on Thursday and another the day before.

The Thursday accident involved a boat carrying nearly 500 passengers, which caught fire and capsized on the Congo River near the village of Malange, leading to at least 107 deaths. A day earlier, a separate incident in the Basankusu territory resulted in at least 86 fatalities, most of whom were students, highlighted by reports from CBS News and Los Angeles Times. The rescue teams reported that 209 survivors were found after the first accident.

State media have linked the accidents to unsafe practices, notably "improper loading and night navigation," which complicate rescue efforts and increase the likelihood of tragedies, according to Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times. Local civil society groups have argued that government negligence plays a role, claiming the official death toll could be higher.

The accidents highlight a growing crisis in Congo's transport system, where passengers are increasingly opting for old, wooden boats due to the limited road options. These vessels are typically overcrowded and lack basic safety equipment like life jackets, heightening the danger for passengers traveling at night, as pointed out by CBS News, Al Jazeera, and Los Angeles Times.