At least forty civilians drowned when their boats capsized in a storm-swollen river as they fled fighting in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo.
“As of Wednesday night, we recovered the bodies of 40 people” after their boats capsized, Jean Bakatoye, vice governor of South Ubangi province, told AFP.
According to Bakatoye, the current number people confirmed dead is expected to rise as search teams recover other bodies that were swept downstream.
The civilians were trying to cross the Ubangi River, which marks part of the border with the neighbouring Republic of Congo. This even as they tried to escape fighting involving DR Congo troops and “outlaws,” Bakatoye said.
The fighting took place in the remote border area of Dongo, after an army position came under attack on Sunday, he said.
“Several soldiers” were injured, he said. However AFP indicates that on account of witnesses there were two troops and four assailants
On Monday, army reinforcements arrived, prompting villagers to panic, fearing a wider conflict.
The Dongo region was shaken by a revolt by the Enyele ethnic group in 2009, which was put down by the Congolese army the following year.
Fighting left an estimated 270 dead and displaced 200,000 people.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest country, the DR Congo is struggling with local conflicts, and in remote areas the control of the central government in Kinshasa is weak.
