At least 58 dead as boat capsizes en route to funeral in Central African Republic

The boat, reportedly carrying nearly 300 people to a funeral ceremony, was overloaded according to eyewitnesses and social media footage.  They described passengers standing and even perched on precarious wooden structures.

The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation, but the incident highlights the dangers of overloaded vessels. Local rescuers, including boat pilots and fishermen, were the first to respond, pulling survivors and recovering bodies from the river before emergency services arrived.

Civil protection officials confirmed the death toll and stated that search efforts are ongoing.  A government spokesperson announced an investigation into the accident and the establishment of a fund to support the families of the victims. The spokesperson also emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of river transport safety regulations. (ILKHA)