LONDON — A passenger boat capsized on Lake Tanganyika on Friday, killing at least 41 people, the Congolese government said. The incident occurred in the eastern province of North Kivu, near the town of Goma, according to a statement from the Ministry of Transport. Rescue teams from the national navy and local authorities were dispatched to the site, but many bodies were recovered from the water before the operation could be completed.
Scale of the disaster
The vessel, reportedly carrying a mix of fishermen and tourists, was traveling from Goma to Bukavu when it overturned around 10:30 a.m. local time. The Ministry of Transport confirmed that 41 bodies were recovered and that the death toll could rise as search and rescue efforts continue. No survivors were reported in the initial reports.
Official response and investigation
The Congolese Ministry of Transport issued a statement saying that an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the accident. The ministry also urged boat operators to adhere to safety regulations and to carry adequate life jackets. A spokesperson for the ministry said that the incident would be examined under the provisions of the 2024 Waterways Safety Act, which mandates regular inspections of vessels operating on the lake.
Lake Tanganyika’s safety record
Lake Tanganyika is one of Africa’s largest and deepest lakes, shared by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Burundi and Zambia. It is a major transport corridor for the region, with thousands of people using boats for daily travel and trade. In recent years, the lake has seen a number of maritime incidents, including a 2023 capsizing that left 12 dead and a 2025 collision that injured 18 people. The DRC government has repeatedly cited the need for better enforcement of safety standards on the lake’s vessels.
International context
The tragedy comes amid growing concern over waterborne transport safety across the Great Lakes region. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that inadequate maintenance and overcrowding are common problems on Lake Tanganyika. In a separate report, the World Health Organization noted that the region’s limited emergency response capacity often hampers rescue operations in such incidents.
Reactions from regional partners
Tanzanian authorities, whose side of the lake also experiences frequent boat traffic, said they would cooperate with Congolese officials in the investigation. Burundi’s transport ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called for a joint review of safety protocols across the lake’s borders.
Impact on local communities
The incident has heightened fears among residents of Goma and surrounding areas, where boat travel is a primary mode of transport. Local NGOs have called for increased funding for life‑saving equipment and better training for crew members. The DRC government has pledged to review its maritime safety regulations and to provide additional resources for rescue operations on the lake.
