KINSHASA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed and dozens of others remained missing after a boat capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), local media reported Sunday.
The accident occurred between Saturday night and early Sunday morning. The boat departed from Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, and capsized during the journey.
Local media, citing preliminary information, reported that more than 80 people may have been on board. Rescuers had recovered at least 12 bodies and found five survivors as of Sunday morning, while dozens of others remained unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations were continuing.
The cause of the accident remained unknown.
With numerous rivers and lakes across the country, boats are one of the main means of transport for many people in the DRC. Boat accidents occur frequently due to factors including aging vessels and overloading. ■