More Than 100 Dead in DR Congo Ferry Sinking

By Kayla Turner 12-16-2014 04:18:39

At least 129 people are dead, and others still believed missing, after a passenger vessel sank in Democratic Republic of Congo's waters on Lake Tanganyika on Thursday night, Tanzanian officials confirmed on Sunday.

The pilot reportedly lost control in strong winds and the M/V Mutambala capsized about six hours after leaving the port of Moba in Congo’s Katanga province.

As of December 15, an estimated 270 passengers were rescued. UN-backed Radio Okapi said it was not clear how many people were travelling on the ferry, which was carrying passengers and cargo between Katanga and South Kivu provinces in eastern Congo.

However, Tanzanian authorities said the vessel had been carrying some 500 people. Other reports state there were roughly 400 passengers onboard the ferry at the time of its sinking.