60 reported dead as ferry sinks in Kasai River

An estimated 60 individuals are believed to have drowned on Saturday night in the Kasai River in Kasai Occidental province when a ferry carrying some 120 people capsized in a whirlpool, the Kinshasa daily ‘Le Phare’ reported on Monday. The incident occurred near Katoka, some 50 km from Tshikapa. According to a witness at the scene, the “Wembley II” is believed to have capsized due to a combination of factors. It was overloaded with passengers and goods, nocturnal navigation of the river is difficult, and the captain was allegedly drunk, ‘Le Phare’ reported. The newspaper noted that the number of boating accidents and resulting fatalities on the Kasai River has increased in recent months due largely to difficulties with nocturnal navigation and intoxication of boat captains.