📌 Key Facts

• Accident Overview: Two separate boat accidents in northwestern Congo led to at least 193 fatalities and left many missing. The first tragedy involved a motorized boat that capsized on Wednesday, followed by a whaleboat incident on Thursday that caught fire and sank.
• Survivor Rescues: Following the whaleboat accident, 209 survivors were rescued from the Congo River. However, many others were still unaccounted for, raising concerns about the effectiveness of rescue operations.
• Causes of the Accidents: Initial reports suggest that improper loading and night navigation contributed to the accidents. State media emphasized that such conditions are prevalent in the region, leading to disastrous incidents.
• Government Accountability: Local civil society groups have expressed concern over the government's role in the accidents, claiming that negligence contributes to the high toll. They argue that the official death count may be underestimated.
• Trends in Boat Travel: As road infrastructure remains poor, many residents increasingly rely on wooden boats for transportation, often overloaded and lacking safety measures like life jackets. This growing trend has raised alarms about the safety of waterways in central Africa.

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