Officials report that at least 58 individuals have perished in the Central African Republic following the capsizing of an overcrowded ferry. The vessel, carrying approximately 300 passengers, primarily mourners en route to a funeral, sank on the Mpoko River near the capital, Bangui, this past Friday. Video footage circulating on social media depicts individuals either falling or leaping into the water in desperate attempts to reach the riverbanks. Tragically, such boat accidents are not uncommon in the region.
A witness described the event as “terrifying,” recounting the loss of seven relatives in the disaster. Thomas Djimasse, head of civil protection, reported on Saturday to local radio station Radio Guira that rescuers recovered “58 lifeless bodies” from the water, though the total number of individuals submerged remains unknown. Numerous survivors are currently receiving medical treatment in Bangui’s hospitals.