A boat capsized in southwestern Congo, leaving 25 people dead, many of whom were soccer players, authorities confirmed on Monday.

The victims were returning from a match in Mushie city, Maï-Ndombe province, on Sunday night when their vessel overturned on the Kwa River, said provincial spokesperson Alexis Mputu. 

He suggested that poor nighttime visibility may have contributed to the accident.

At least 30 people survived, according to Renacle Kwatiba, the local administrator of Mushie territory.

Boat accidents are frequent in the central African nation, often due to overcrowding and nighttime travel. Authorities continue to struggle with enforcing maritime safety regulations.

With limited road infrastructure, Congo’s rivers serve as a primary mode of transportation for its population of over 100 million, particularly in remote areas. 

However, wooden boats packed with passengers and cargo have led to repeated tragedies, with hundreds of lives lost in recent years.

BDST: 0957 HRS, MAR 11, 2025
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