Rescuers save 170 people but hundreds are still missing.

The ferry, believed to be carrying at least 350 people, was carrying many from the village of Inongo to collect salaries in Lokanga.

Congolese waterways are a cheap and popular means of  mass transportation.

Many of the boats are unseaworthy and do not have lifejackets. 

The major hazard is gross over-crowding, normally three or four times over capacity.

Passenger manifests never carry an accurate list of people on board .

Last month dozens died when a ferry from Goma capsized on Lake Kivu bordering Uganda and Rwanda in the Eastern DRC.   

The post At least 30 died in Congo ferry sinking appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

At least 30 people have drowned.

Weeping families watched the bodies of their loved-ones being brought ashore.

Police are blaming poor weather and an overcrowded unseaworthy boat for the latest tragedy on Africa’s largest  lake.

The victims include fishermen who tried to rescue passengers flung into the water by the capsizing vessel.

Maritime disasters are commonplace on the 70 000 km2 lake shared by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

Two months ago more than 200 people drowned when the ferry MV Nyerere capsized in the Tanzanian side of Lake Victoria.

Authorities talk tough after an incident but the lethally lawless sailing continues within days.

The post Dozens die when party boat capsizes on Lake Victoria appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

At least 24 000 have crossed the Mediterranean to Italy this year. 352 have died trying.

ends intro

The Libyans accuse the European Union of failing to keep its promises to help with the migrants streaming into Europe.

With no fewer than three governments in the country that has become a safe haven for Islamic State terrorists, Libya doesn’t  have the naval capacity to stop the people desperately trying to leave their continent to seek better lives in Europe – or rescue those who come to grief in the overcrowded, unseaworthy boats they use make the dangerous voyage

The post Libya warns it cannot control migrants launching bids to reach Europe appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.