Boat capsizes in Congo, killing at least 86, most of them students

KINSHASA Congo AP A motorized boat capsized in northwestern Congo s Equateur Province killing at least people state media broadcasted Friday The state news agency broadcasted that the accident occurred on Wednesday in Basankusu territory and that the greater part of the casualties were students It was not forthwith clear what caused the accident although state media attributed it to improper loading and night navigation citing reports from the scene Images that appear to be from the scene displayed villagers gathered around bodies as they mourned A local civil society group blamed the accident on the governing body and claimed the toll was higher Officers could not be right now reached for comment The capsizing of boats is becoming increasingly frequent in this central African nation as more people are abandoning the limited available roads for cheaper wooden vessels crumbling under the weight of passengers and their goods In such trips life jackets are rare and the vessels are usually overloaded Several of the boats also progress at night complicating rescue efforts during accidents and leaving multiple bodies often unaccounted for