Two boats collide in the Democratic Republic of Congo: At least 22 people lost their lives
At least 22 people died and 59 were rescued after two boats collided near the Lukolela region in Equateur province.
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At least 22 people have lost their lives following a collision between two boats on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The accident occurred around 02:00 local time near the town of Ngombe, in the Lukolela region in the west of Equateur province.
Equateur Province Interior Minister Crispin Mputu announced that one of the vessels was a commercial boat traveling between Kinshasa and Mbandaka, while the other was a passenger boat heading from Mongala province to Kinshasa.
Mputu reported that search and rescue operations are ongoing and that 59 people have been rescued so far. The official stated that one of the boats sank and its wreckage was located at a depth of approximately 12 meters.
A security source, who was not named, reported that the passenger boat sank following the collision and that there were 163 passengers on board.