At least 78 people have drowned, and dozens are missing after a ferry capsized on Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday morning.
The MV Merdy was carrying an estimated 278 passengers when it sank just metres from the port of Kituku, near Goma, after travelling from Minova.
The boat, designed for only 80 passengers, was overcrowded, according to survivors who spoke with The Guardian. Many waiting on the dock were family members and traders hoping to reunite with loved ones.
South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purisi confirmed the current death toll and noted that recovery efforts could take three days due to the number of bodies still unaccounted for.
The route across Lake Kivu has become increasingly popular as ongoing fighting between government forces and M23 rebels has made roads unsafe. This insecurity has forced many to transport goods across the lake, raising costs for road transport.
Survivor Emmanuelle Furaha, 17, recounted how she swam to safety. “When we wanted to reach the dock, the ship capsized,” she said. The lack of lifejackets on board has been criticised, with local politician Johnson Ishara calling the disaster a scandal.
Authorities have ordered that boats carry lifejackets, but enforcement has been lax. With a history of similar incidents, including a 2019 tragedy that claimed over 150 lives, calls for better safety measures are growing.
An investigation into the incident is underway, with local officials promising accountability.
