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Boat capsizes between Uganda and Congo, killing more than 30

25 December 2020 11:39 (UTC +04:00)

More than 30 people have died in an overnight capsizing on Lake Albert while trying to return to Congo from Uganda, according to a civil society group, APA reports citing ABC News.

“A strong wind blew and caused this incident,” Vital Adubanga, president of the Wangongo chiefdom in eastern Congo's Ituri province said. “We have so far recorded a balance sheet provisionally of 33 dead people and seven survivors.”

He said owners must respect regulations that prohibit night boats.

“More Congolese traders have been forced to be confined in Uganda following the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “They wanted to return to their country ... We deplore this behavior which often leads to deaths. Night boats are to be discouraged.”