At least 140 killed in DR Congo ferry accident
19:11, 30 July 2010
KINSHASA. July 30. KAZINFORM At least 140 passengers died when an overcrowded ferry hit a sandbank and capsized in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), a local official said Thursday. Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
Previous reports put the death toll at about 130.
The government confirmed the accident, saying it may have been caused by low water levels on the river due to the dry season.
The specific number of passengers is not yet known.
The ferry's passenger list showed that 180 people were on board, but the real figure may outnumber this as many people secretly boarded the boat, DR Congo's Communications Minister Lambert Mende said.
A local official told Xinhua that the ferry carried more than 250 passengers, mostly businessmen, farmers and students.
According to Xavier Nsingi, navy commander of the National Transport Office, there could be more than 200 deaths as a result of the accident. Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com for full version.