At least 58 people have died in the Central African Republic after the overcrowded ferry sank while carrying passengers on a river, reported by BBC.
The incident occurred on the Mpoko River in the capital, Bangui, as the overloaded wooden ferry was transporting over 300 individuals to a funeral. Witnesses informed The Associated Press that the ferry began to give way on Friday. Prompt response from local boat pilots and fishermen facilitated the rescue of victims and retrieval of bodies from the river before the arrival of emergency services.
Adrien Mossamo, one of the fishermen involved in the rescue efforts, disclosed that around 20 bodies were recovered while awaiting the military’s assistance. “It’s a horrible day,” he expressed. The death toll continues to climb as the military spearheads the search operation, with officials at Bangui University Hospital Center confirming the ongoing uncertainty regarding the exact number of casualties. Notably, the government has refrained from providing any official statement on the matter.
In the wake of the tragedy, civil society organizations and local political factions extended their sympathies through social media platforms, urging for a thorough investigation into the ferry’s sinking.
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