Boat capsizes in southwestern Congo, killing 25, including soccer players, due to poor visibility. Over 30 survive. Overcrowding and weak maritime enforcement contribute to frequent accidents.

A tragic boat accident in southwestern Congo has claimed the lives of 25 people, many of them soccer players, authorities reported on Monday.

The victims were returning from a match in Mushie city, located in Maï-Ndombe province, when their vessel capsized on the Kwa River on Sunday night, according to Alexis Mputu, the provincial spokesman. Mputu suggested that poor visibility at night might have played a role in the disaster.

Renacle Kwatiba, the local administrator of Mushie territory, confirmed that at least 30 other people survived the incident.

Deadly boat accidents are common in the central African nation, where late-night travel and overcrowding are often cited as leading causes. Authorities continue to struggle with enforcing maritime regulations, leaving many travelers at risk.

With a population of over 100 million, Congo heavily relies on its rivers for transportation, particularly in remote areas where infrastructure is lacking. In recent years, hundreds of people have lost their lives in similar accidents, as many opt for wooden vessels due to the limited availability of roads.