The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Transport has introduced new safety measures following two recent river disasters. In a statement released on October 6, 2026, the ministry announced that all passengers and crew members on river vessels must wear life jackets. This move aims to prevent further accidents and casualties on the country's waterways. The ministry also emphasized that these measures will be enforced strictly.
The new safety measures come in response to two recent incidents on the Congo River. On October 2, 2026, a collision occurred near Lukolela in the Equateur province, resulting in two deaths, 35 missing people, and significant material damage. Three days later, on October 4, 2026, a barge called GLOBAL IV sank at Nganda Musolo, a commune in the N'Sele province of Kinshasa, leaving one child missing and causing substantial damage.
In addition to the mandatory life jacket rule, the Ministry of Transport has introduced further safety regulations. These include a ban on nighttime navigation without special authorization from competent authorities and strict adherence to the legally authorized tonnage for each vessel. Furthermore, vessels are prohibited from docking at unofficial or unrecognized ports. Any violations of these regulations will result in immediate and systematic judicial proceedings.
The ministry has also taken steps to hold those responsible for the recent accidents accountable. The captain of the baleinière DIEU SE CACHE has been arrested and is currently in custody. On October 5, 2026, a complaint was filed with the prosecutor of the Republic near the Mbandaka Court of Appeal, seeking to open a judicial case against the captains and owners of the two vessels involved in the accidents.
Similar actions have been taken in connection with the Nganda Musolo accident. The captain of the vessel has been arrested by local police and handed over to the prosecutor. A formal complaint was lodged with the prosecutor of the Republic near the Kinkole Court of Appeal on October 5, 2026, against the captain and owner of the vessel.
The Ministry of Transport has assured the public that it will rigorously enforce these new safety measures to prevent future accidents. The measures are part of a broader effort to improve safety and security on the Congo River and other waterways in the country. The government has emphasized its commitment to taking a systematic and strict approach to enforcing these regulations.
The recent accidents have highlighted the need for improved safety measures on Congo's waterways. The introduction of these new regulations is a significant step towards reducing the risk of such disasters occurring in the future. The government's efforts to hold those responsible for the accidents accountable also demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers and crew members on the country's rivers.
Key points
- The Democratic Republic of Congo has introduced new safety measures, including mandatory life jackets for all passengers and crew members on river vessels.
- Two recent river disasters, one near Lukolela and the other at Nganda Musolo, prompted the new safety regulations.
- The government has also taken steps to hold those responsible for the accidents accountable, including arresting vessel captains and filing complaints with prosecutors.
