Manama: At least 86 people, mostly students, died after a boat sank in northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo. State media reported that the accident occurred on Wednesday in the Basankusu area, where the boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the boat was navigating the waters in the Basankusu region when it met with the tragic incident. The authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Rescue operations are ongoing, but the challenging conditions in the region are hampering efforts to find any survivors or recover more bodies.
The incident has highlighted the vulnerabilities of river transportation in the country, especially for students who rely on it for reaching educational institutions. The government has been urged to improve safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.