At least 193 people died in two separate boat accidents that occurred within 24 hours of each other in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Équateur province, according to authorities and state media reports.
The first incident took place on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, when a motorized boat capsized in the Basankusu territory of the province. The accident killed at least 86 people, with most victims identified as students. State media attributed this accident to improper loading and night navigation practices.
One day later, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, a second tragedy struck approximately 93 miles away in the Lukolela territory. A whaleboat carrying nearly 500 passengers caught fire and capsized along the Congo River near the village of Malange. This incident claimed 107 lives, according to the country’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Rescue teams managed to save 209 survivors from Thursday’s accident, but 146 people remain missing. The Ministry of Social Affairs confirmed the missing persons count in a memo reviewed by news agencies. Several people were also reported missing from Wednesday’s incident, though exact figures were not immediately available.
Images from the scenes showed villagers gathered around bodies as they mourned the victims. Search operations involving naval personnel and community volunteers combed the riverbanks following both accidents. Authorities pledged to provide medical care for the injured, assistance to bereaved families, and help with repatriating survivors to their places of origin and destination.
The cause of Thursday’s fire and capsizing remained unclear as of Friday evening. Officials had not confirmed whether rescue operations were continuing by that time. A local civil society group disputed the government’s account of Wednesday’s accident, claiming the actual death toll was higher than officially reported and placing blame on government authorities.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges with river transportation in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s vast rainforest regions. River transport serves as a lifeline for communities in these areas, where old wooden vessels provide the main form of transportation between villages. Boat capsizing incidents have become increasingly frequent as the waterway option often costs less than traveling on the country’s limited road network.
However, the vessels frequently operate under dangerous conditions. The boats are typically poorly maintained and deteriorate under the excessive weight of passengers and their goods. Life jackets remain rare on such journeys, and the vessels regularly carry loads beyond their capacity limits.
Many boats travel during nighttime hours, which creates additional navigation hazards and complicates rescue efforts when accidents occur. The darkness often leaves many bodies unaccounted for after incidents. Rescue operations face further complications due to limited resources and the remote locations where accidents typically happen. State media reported that “improper loading and night navigation” contributed to the September 10 accident.
Congolese officials had previously issued warnings against overloading practices and vowed to punish those who violate safety measures for water transportation. These warnings came after more than 80 people died in June 2024 when a boat carrying over 270 passengers capsized on a river near Kinshasa, the country’s capital.
Despite official warnings and enforcement promises, boats continue to be overloaded throughout the region. In remote areas where most passengers originate, many residents cannot afford public transport options for the few available roads. This economic reality forces continued reliance on the dangerous river transportation system.
The country’s rivers serve as major transportation arteries for more than 100 million people, particularly in remote areas where infrastructure remains poor or nonexistent. Hundreds of people have died in boat accidents in the central African nation in recent years as the trend toward water transportation continues.
