A tragic maritime accident occurred in the Kasai province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Friday when a wooden boat carrying students returning from state exams sank. The vessel went down at the confluence of the Sankuru and Kasai rivers, resulting in at least 20 confirmed deaths. Francois Kabula, the administrator of Ilebo territory, reported that there were 80 survivors alongside the 20 bodies recovered. However, witnesses like Tshikudi Jean suggested the boat may have been carrying over 200 people, implying a higher potential death toll. This disaster highlights ongoing safety issues in the region, where overcrowded vessels and poor infrastructure frequently lead to fatal accidents. Francois Malepo, president of the Ilebo civil society organization, criticized shipowners for prioritizing profit over human lives, reflecting a broader pattern of systemic negligence in the country's transport sector.