BREAKING NEWS: Tragedy Strikes as Overcrowded Ferry Capsizes in Central African Republic
In a devastating incident in the heart of the Central African Republic, at least 58 individuals have tragically lost their lives after an overcrowded ferry carrying them capsized, according to officials.
Most of the 300 passengers aboard the vessel were en route to a funeral on Friday when the unthinkable happened. The ferry sank on the Mpoko river, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling capital, Bangui.
Chilling footage captured on social media showcases the harrowing scene as people desperately tried to save themselves by either falling or jumping into the turbulent waters in a frantic bid to reach the safety of the riverbanks.
Regrettably, boat disasters are not an uncommon occurrence in this region of the Central African Republic, leaving communities devastated and families torn apart by grief.
“What just unfolded was nothing short of a nightmare,” recounted a horrified witness to French-language broadcaster RFI.
“I personally know a family who is now mourning the loss of seven of their loved ones in this tragic incident.”
Providing an update on the grim situation, civil protection chief Thomas Djimasse disclosed to local station Radio Guira on Saturday that rescuers had recovered “58 lifeless bodies” from the water. However, the total number of individuals submerged beneath the surface remains unknown, adding an additional layer of sorrow and uncertainty to the unfolding tragedy.
Reports indicate that scores of survivors are currently undergoing urgent medical treatment in hospitals scattered across Bangui, as the nation mourns the devastating loss of life. — BBC
