The boat, carrying over 300 passengers and cargo, was en route to Kituku port near Goma City from Minova in South Kivu when it sank about 700 meters from its destination. The death toll has so far reached 34, and locals attribute the accident to overloading.
A police marine boat in Lutoboka, Kalangala Town Council
Mariners searching for missing persons following the MV Merdi boat accident on Lake Kivu, in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, have located the boat at a depth of 200 meters.
The boat, carrying over 300 passengers and cargo, was en route to Kituku port near Goma City from Minova in South Kivu when it sank about 700 meters from its destination. The death toll has so far reached 34, and locals attribute the accident to overloading.
Jacquemin Shabani Lukoo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior confirmed that local divers, mariners, and the army have pinpointed the boat's location. An ongoing investigation seeks to determine the cause and assign responsibility to prevent such accidents in the future.
While the exact number of missing persons remains uncertain, estimates from the civil society coordination in Minova suggest that up to 163 people could still be unaccounted for. Lukoo has authorized families to proceed with burials and assured support for dignified ceremonies according to local customs.
In response to the accident, Lukoo has instructed the governors of North and South Kivu to implement strict safety and regulatory measures for navigation on Lakes Kivu and Edward. These measures include mandatory life jackets for all passengers and thorough inspections of boats to ensure technical compliance.
Kituku port, which supplies Goma with food from Minova, currently lacks a system to monitor lake traffic. The boat accident highlights concerns about safety regulations, especially given that traders from Minova have increasingly relied on Lake Kivu for transport since the occupation of Shasha by M23 rebels.