Archive · 6 Oct 2026
At Least 22 Dead After Boats Collide on Congo River
Two boats crashed into each other on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The crash happened near Ngombe early on Saturday morning.
One boat was carrying passengers and sank after the collision.
A security source said 163 people were on that boat.
Officials said 22 people died and 59 were rescued.
The recovered bodies were buried.
Officials said there may be other victims whose bodies were buried elsewhere.
The sunken boat was still underwater on Monday evening, and recovery work was continuing.
At least 22 people died when two boats collided on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The collision occurred near Ngombe in western Equateur province around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday.
The impact caused the passenger boat to sink; a security source said it had 163 passengers aboard.
Provincial Interior Minister Crispin Mputu said 59 people were rescued and 22 bodies recovered and buried.
Recovery efforts continued Monday evening, with the sunken vessel lying about 12 meters underwater.
- Who
- Passengers and crew aboard two boats; provincial official Crispin Mputu reported the figures.
- What
- Two boats collided, causing the passenger boat to sink; at least 22 people died and 59 were rescued.
- When
- Around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday; recovery efforts were continuing Monday evening.
- Where
- Near Ngombe in Lukolela territory, Equateur province, on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Why
- The boats collided; the articles do not state what caused the collision.
- Deaths
- At least 22
- Rescued
- 59 people
- Passengers aboard sunken boat
- 163, according to a security source
- Collision time
- Around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday
- Location
- Near Ngombe in Lukolela territory, Equateur province
- Vessel depth
- About 12 meters underwater
- Recovery status
- Efforts were continuing Monday evening