Keypoints:
- Around 70 people missing in Kasai
- 50 survivors found after river accident
- Strong winds blamed for capsizing
AROUND 70 people remain unaccounted for after a passenger vessel capsized on the Sankuru River in Kasai Province, central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), earlier this week, according to local media reports and UN radio on Wednesday. The incident has once again highlighted the risks of river transport in areas where waterways are the only reliable means of long-distance travel.
Whirlwinds blamed for deadly capsize
Reports from local outlets and a UN radio briefing said the vessel had been travelling from the inland port of Bena Dibele towards the capital, Kinshasa, a journey of more than 800 kilometres. It sank on Monday after sudden whirlwinds destabilised the boat, sending passengers and cargo into the fast-moving river.
Local administrator Francois Ahoka, quoted by UN radio, said the vessel was carrying roughly 120 people at the time of the disaster. About 50 passengers have been rescued so far, while dozens more remain missing as search operations continue along the river.
‘The search operations are still under way in extremely difficult conditions,’ Ahoka was reported as saying. He noted that rescuers are battling strong currents, poor visibility and a lack of basic equipment — persistent challenges for emergency teams in remote parts of the DRC.
Rescue teams battling severe conditions
Authorities have deployed local police units, river patrols and community volunteers to comb the Sankuru River for survivors and bodies. But officials say heavy winds, debris and dense vegetation along the riverbanks have slowed their progress.
Ahoka urged families with missing relatives to remain in touch with administrative offices to help identify survivors and recovered remains. ‘We are asking families to cooperate with authorities so we can match names and confirm identities as people are found,’ he said.
Local officials have also appealed for additional support from provincial and national bodies, citing severe shortages of fuel, boats and protective gear. Rescuers are working with improvised tools, limiting the area they can safely search.
A dangerous but essential mode of travel
River travel remains one of the most widely used forms of transport in the DRC, particularly in central and western regions where road infrastructure is poor or completely absent. Passenger ferries and wooden barges often carry people and goods far beyond their intended capacity, increasing the risks when bad weather strikes.
Accidents of this nature are common on major rivers such as the Congo, Kasai and Sankuru, especially during the rainy season when storms intensify. Safety standards are inconsistent, and many operators lack life jackets, navigation tools or trained crew.
Humanitarian groups and local authorities have repeatedly called for stronger regulation of river travel, investment in safer vessels and public awareness campaigns on overloading. Progress has been slow, however, constrained by costs and the vast size of the country’s river network.
Authorities promise continued search
Officials in Kasai Province say the priority remains finding survivors. Recovery teams are expected to stay on-site for several days, working with residents of riverside communities who have joined the search.
The government has not yet released an official casualty figure. A formal update is expected once local authorities complete the verification of rescued individuals and any recovered bodies.
