Lake Kivu Boat Tragedy: At Least 12 Dead, Dozens Missing In Eastern Congo

At least 12 people have died and dozens remain missing after a vessel carrying traders capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities said on Sunday, with local residents joining efforts to rescue survivors and recover bodies.

The vessel was carrying more than 50 people when it capsized on Saturday night near Idjwi Island in South Kivu province, according to Félix Habiragi, chief of the village of Kisheke near the accident site. About 15 people have been rescued so far, but the fate of dozens of others remains unknown.

The boat was transporting fish traders and goods from Bwina to Boza on Idjwi Island, local administrator Muhindo Ntambuka Pascal said. The cause of the capsizing has not yet been established.

Videos apparently recorded at the scene showed villagers and other passengers pulling bodies from the lake, underscoring the scale of the tragedy and the immediate role played by local residents in the recovery operation.

For families waiting for news, the accident has brought anguish and uncertainty. Idjwi resident Christian Amini Ndahira said he lost a friend who had spoken to him shortly before boarding the boat.

The tragedy has also renewed attention on longstanding boat-safety concerns in Congo, where waterways are a major means of transport for communities across the country. Boats frequently carry both passengers and goods, and concerns have been raised over overloading and the use of life jackets.

Dorcelle Bagazane, a civil-society member in Idjwi, said authorities had begun requiring passengers to wear life jackets, but many people still travel without them. Her comments point to broader safety challenges, although there is no confirmation that life-jacket use or overloading caused this particular accident.

Deadly boat accidents are relatively common in Congo, where rivers and lakes remain crucial transport routes for a population of more than 100 million people. For communities with limited alternatives, boats are not merely a means of travel but an essential link for trade, livelihoods and access to other areas.

With dozens still missing, the immediate priority remains finding survivors and recovering those who may have been trapped in the lake. Authorities have yet to announce the precise cause of the accident or a final passenger count.