DRC rioters gather over deadly boat accident

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo crowds of angry people have set fire to government buildings in protest at a recent deadly boat accident.

The protesters went on a rampage on Friday, four days after the accident in the country’s eastern region, which left at least 30 people dead.

“They set fire to the offices of the river police and the naval force. They’re youngsters angered by the loss of their relatives, they say people (the authorities) are not rigorous enough” about making sure safety conditions are complied with, provincial government spokesman Monulphe Bosso said.

The incident occurred on December 23, when the boat hit a rock and sank near the village of Yakusu about 20 miles north of the eastern provincial capital of Kisangani.

Earlier this month, at least 129 people died when an overcrowded boat went down on Lake Tanganyika.

A shipwreck back in March on Lake Albert also left 210 Congolese refugees dead and missing.

Deadly ship accidents are common on the lakes and rivers of DRC as boats are frequently overcrowded and life jackets are rarely used.