Death of Dozens in Boat Capsize on Lake Kivu “deeply” Saddening: Catholic Official in DR Congo’s Goma Diocese

He said that “as the Catholic community in Goma continues to pray for the victims and their families, there is need for reflection on the broader implications of the tragedy.”

While the Catholic Bishop of Goma has not issued a public statement on the tragedy, the Catholic youth leader further said, “we will continue to pray for our country, asking God to guide our leaders to make decisions that protect all of us, even in times of crisis.”

“It’s time for us to learn that no financial gain or business venture is worth risking lives,” Mr. Mantama alluding to reports that the boat that capsized was overloaded.

Reflecting on factors behind the October 3 morning tragedy, the Congolese Catholic youth leader in Goma Diocese said, “For months, the region surrounding Lake Kivu has been affected by conflict. The M23 rebel group has occupied key areas, including the region of Chacha, near Minova, the departure point of the ill-fated vessel. This occupation has severely limited road travel, forcing many residents to rely on boats for movement and trade.”

“Many of the passengers on the boat were traders, particularly women, who depended on daily transport to earn a living and rejuvenate the local economy. With roads blocked by rebel activity, boats have become the only option for survival, leading to overcrowding on already poorly maintained vessels,” he explained.

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Unfortunately, Mr. Mantama went on to lament, “these kinds of incidents are becoming more common. The boats are overloaded with passengers and goods, often exceeding their capacity. This situation is made worse by the poor conditions on the lake, and the lack of available alternatives for safe travel.”

“The rebels’ occupation of the region has turned Lake Kivu into the only viable route for people traveling between Goma and Minova,” he reiterated, adding, “Many of these boats are not equipped to handle large numbers of passengers or heavy cargo, putting lives at risk every time they set sail.”

According to Mr. Mantama, “The combination of overloaded boats and rough waters has made these voyages extremely dangerous. It’s clear that the security crisis is at the root of these tragedies.”

He told ACI Africa that while the government has taken some steps to address the issue, including distributing 6,000 life vests to boat passengers, the implementation of these measures has been “inconsistent.”

“We have yet to see passengers consistently wearing the life vests that were distributed. It raises concerns about whether the government is properly enforcing safety rules or whether people are simply ignoring them,” Mr. Mantama said.

In the case of the October 3 tragedy, he went on to say, “the boat was less than 700 meters from the port when it capsized. Had passengers been wearing life vests, many could have survived.”

The responsibility for preventing such tragedies lies both with the government and the travellers themselves, the Catholic youth leader said. 

He explained, “While it is the government’s duty to regulate and ensure the safety of boat transport, individuals also need to understand the risks and take precautions. We must value life above all else.”

“We give thanks to God for his mercy, and we continue to hope that, with his grace, we will one day live in a nation where human life is valued above all else,” Mr. Mantama said during the October 4 interview with ACI Africa.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.