DRC: Sunken boat in lake Kivu found at a depth of 200 meters

A boat that sank four days ago in Lake Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been found at a depth of 200 meters. The boat, named ‘MV Merdi,’ sank on October 3, 2024, just 700 meters away from reaching the Kituku port in Goma.

Following the accident, a rescue team consisting of Congolese military personnel and peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) began searching for the missing passengers. The DRC government confirmed that the boat was located on October 5, 2024, and that search efforts are ongoing.

According to the government, 34 people lost their lives in the tragedy, while 80 others were rescued alive. However, the governor of South Kivu Province, Jean-Jacques Purusi, reported a higher death toll, stating that 78 people perished in the accident.

Upon arriving in Goma on October 6, the DRC’s Minister of Interior Security, Jacquemain Shabani, announced that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

The minister also emphasized that once those responsible for the tragedy are identified, necessary actions will be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again.

This accident has brought attention to the recurring issue of boat safety in the region, as Lake Kivu is a critical transport route for many communities. The authorities are expected to take further steps to improve safety measures for passengers on water vessels.