At least 41 people have died after a boat travelling from Tanzania to the Democratic Republic of Congo capsized on Lake Tanganyika, according to local authorities. Forty-nine passengers were rescued and a search is under way for those still missing.
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Key facts
- At least 41 people died in the incident, local authorities said.
- The boat capsized on Lake Tanganyika while travelling from Tanzania to the DRC.
- Forty-nine passengers were rescued.
- A search is under way for the missing.
At least 41 people have died after a boat capsized on Lake Tanganyika, local authorities said. The vessel was travelling from Tanzania to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when it overturned.
Forty-nine passengers were rescued from the water, according to Al Jazeera, which reported that a search operation was under way for those still missing.
The death toll of at least 41 was confirmed by local authorities, as reported by Sky News.
Lake Tanganyika, one of Africa’s largest lakes, forms part of the border region between several countries and is used as a route for cross-border travel between Tanzania and the DRC.
The sources did not specify the cause of the capsizing, the total number of people who had been on board, or how many remained missing at the time of reporting.
Why it matters
Boat disasters are a recurring danger on the vast lakes and rivers of central Africa, where overcrowded or poorly maintained vessels serve as vital transport links. Incidents like this one highlight the human cost of limited safety oversight on major waterways.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Lake Tanganyika boat capsizing?
Local authorities said at least 41 people died, according to Sky News and Al Jazeera.
Were there any survivors?
Yes. Al Jazeera reported that 49 passengers were rescued and that a search was under way for those still missing.
Where was the boat travelling?
The boat was travelling from Tanzania to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Lake Tanganyika when it capsized.
Timeline
- At least 41 die as boat capsizes in DRC’s Lake Tanganyika
Al Jazeera: Forty-nine passengers have been rescued and a search is under way for the missing.
- At least 41 dead after boat capsizes in DR Congo
Sky News: At least 41 people have died after a boat travelling from Tanzania to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Lake Tanganyika capsized, local authorities said.