At least 30 people, the majority of them teachers, have been confirmed dead following the capsizing of a passenger boat on the Kwango River in Kwilu province, western Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident occurred over the week-end, but officials formally confirmed the tragedy only on Wednesday, 17 December, as search efforts continued for those still missing.
According to local lawmaker Gary Sakata, the vessel was transporting about 100 passengers from the villages of Kingukukapayi, Kusu and Fambondo in Bagata territory. Among the deceased were 20 teachers travelling to Bandundu city to collect their monthly salaries, while other passengers were journeying to shop ahead of the end-of-year festivities. Thirty people were rescued from the river.
The boat, which was also carrying around 700 bags of cement and cassava, reportedly struck a stationary submerged object, causing it to sink. Sakata sharply criticised what he described as a dysfunctional salary payment system for rural civil servants, arguing that teachers should not be forced to travel more than 100 kilometres to access their wages.
River transport remains a critical lifeline in the country due to poor road infrastructure, but such journeys are frequently marred by deadly accidents.