• At least 20 fatalities confirmed in a boat capsizing on Lake Mai-Ndombe.
• The boat was traveling from Kiri to Kinshasa when it capsized due to violent winds.
• Overloaded and poorly maintained vessels are common in this region, raising safety concerns.
• Previous incidents in September resulted in 193 deaths from similar accidents.
• Rescue operations are complicated by the lack of life jackets and late-night travel.

At least 20 people have died and several remain missing after a boat capsized on Lake Mai-Ndombe while traveling from Kiri to the capital, Kinshasa, on Thursday evening. This tragic incident involved a vessel overloaded with passengers, including a newly ordained Catholic deacon, as reported by local sources and the Diocese of Inongo. Governor Kevani Nkoso of Mai-Ndombe province stated, “We are awaiting details from the teams deployed to the field to determine the number of people killed and the number of survivors,” according to Reuters, Africa News, and India Times.

The capsizing occurred due to violent winds disabling one of the boat's engines, which has prompted local authorities to scrutinize safety standards for river transport. Local officials pointed out that many boats are often outdated, poorly maintained, and sometimes travel at night, complicating rescue efforts further. Earlier incidents highlight the tragedy of boat accidents in Congo, with over 193 deaths reported in similar tragedies in September, attributed to “improper loading and night navigation,” as confirmed by Reuters, Africa News, and India Times.