Sinking boat kills at least 19 people in Democratic Congo

RABAT, Dec 1 (KUNA) -- At least 19 people died when heavy winds caused a boat to capsize on Democratic Republic of Congo's Lake Mai-Ndombe, local officials in the Congo said Monday.
The Governor of Mai-Ndombe province said the boat had left the village of Kiri for the capital Kinshasa when it capsized on Thursday night.
River boats are the main form of transport in many rural parts of Congo, but vessels are often outdated and accidents are frequent.
"Yesterday we recovered nine bodies, and today ten more were pulled from the water, bringing the total to 19 dead and 82 survivors," said provincial governor Nkoso Kevani Lebon, adding he did not know how many people might be missing. (end) mry.mb