At least 86 people lost their lives when a motorized boat overturned in Congo’s northwestern Equateur Province, state media reported on Friday.
According to the state news agency, the disaster happened Wednesday in Basankusu territory, with the majority of victims reported to be students.
The exact cause remains unclear, though reports from the scene suggested “improper loading and night navigation” played a role, state media said.
Photos believed to be from the site showed grieving villagers gathered around bodies laid out for mourning.
A local civil society group blamed the tragedy on government negligence and claimed the death toll was even higher. Officials were not immediately available for comment.
Such boat disasters have become increasingly common in the central African country, as many residents abandon the few existing roads for cheaper wooden vessels that are often overloaded and poorly maintained.
