A major boat accident in the Equateur province of northwestern Congo on Friday resulted in the deaths of at least 86 people. The incident occurred in the Basankusu area, with a significant number of the deceased identified as students. The accident involved a motorized boat that capsized. The boat was reportedly overloaded with passengers and cargo. Authorities indicated that the boat was traveling at night when it lost balance and overturned in the river. Search and rescue operations are underway, with local authorities and rescue teams on the scene, searching for those still missing. Residents of villages along the river are also assisting in the search efforts. The tragedy has particularly affected students who were reportedly traveling from their homes to other towns for their studies.
