GENERAL ASSEMBLY CHIEF VOICES DEEP SADNESS AFTER DEADLY CAPSIZING IN DR CONGO

29 July - General Assembly President Ali Treki today expressed deep sadness after learning that a boat overturned on a major river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), reportedly killing around 140 people.

Media reports state that the boat capsized yesterday as it was transporting passengers and goods along the Kasai River, a tributary of the Congo River, from the town of Mushie to Kinshasa, the national capital. There are indications that the boat was overloaded.

Many Congolese travel by boat, even when the vessel is overcrowded, as the country has few functioning roads and railways.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Assembly President Ali Treki described the news of the capsizing as shocking and he offered his condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of the DRC.