Overloaded Ferry Capsizes in Congo's Burisa River: Dozens Dead, 100+ Missing: Incident on 20 December 2024

On 20 December 2024, an overloaded ferry capsized in the Burisa River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in at least 38 confirmed deaths and over 100 people still missing. The vessel was carrying more than 400 passengers, far exceeding safe capacity, when it went down late in the evening.

The ferry was transporting merchants traveling home for the Christmas period. Local authorities have launched a recovery and investigation effort, though the scale of the disaster and challenging river conditions have hampered rescue operations.

Recovery and rescue operations began following the capsizing late on 20 December 2024. The high number of missing persons and the remote location of the Burisa River have complicated search and rescue efforts. Local communities and authorities have been engaged in recovery operations, though specific details of the response timeline and coordination remain limited.

Passengers

• Over 400 passengers onboard at the time of capsizing, significantly exceeding the vessel's safe capacity.

Fatalities

• At least 38 confirmed deaths.

Injuries

• Not reported.

Rescued

• Over 100 persons remain missing; exact number of survivors not specified in available reports.

Recovery operations are ongoing in the Burisa River. This incident follows another fatal boat accident in Congo's Fimi River just four days earlier on 16 December 2024, in which 25 people died. Overcrowding and inadequate safety measures remain persistent problems on Congo's waterways, contributing to recurring accidents with high casualty numbers. Limited and expensive transportation options in the region continue to drive unsafe practices such as overloading, despite government warnings.