Three days after a riverboat capsized on the M’poko River southwest of Bangui, volunteer rescuers continue to retrieve lifeless bodies. According to some witnesses, over 70 people may have perished in the disaster, but the civil protection agency announced on Saturday the confirmed death toll of at least 58, with several dozen individuals still missing.
Sunday approaches noon as the team of young volunteers makes their rounds in the village of Nziba, a few kilometers from the site of the tragedy. As they near the riverbank, the scene is one of devastation. Zephyrin, along with other villagers, recovered four lifeless bodies: “The bodies floated one after the other on the water. They were all in a state of decomposition. We decided it was best to bury them not far from the bank because it’s difficult to identify them.”
Shock still pervades the community. Quentin, however, points to the inefficiency of the naval forces. “This small wooden riverboat should not have been carrying more than 300 people. The naval forces present did not inspect the condition of the vessel. An accident can happen at any time. But it can also be prevented by monitoring overloading and the state of transportation means,” he asserts.
To prevent further tragedies, Jean-Baptiste calls for a collective awakening. “At first glance, the boat was not sturdy. It broke under the weight. It took a tragedy and loss of life for us to address it. Lives can be saved if everyone adheres to the rules,” he emphasizes.
Immediately following the incident, the government implemented stringent measures regarding river safety. From now on, all unregistered and non-compliant vessels will face sanctions and prohibition.
This event underscores the importance of both proactive safety measures and community vigilance in safeguarding lives along the region’s waterways.