Collision of whaling boats sinks a cargo on the Lukeni river in Mai-Ndombe
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Actualité.cd
Illustrative image · Blessing Niniola · Pexels · Licence PexelsDeux baleinières se sont heurtées vendredi soir sur la rivière Lukeni, au village de Nkolo, dans la province du Maï-Ndombe, en RD Congo ; l'une a coulé avec toute sa cargaison de sel, farine, savon, tôles et vêtements. Le gérant de l'embarcation sinistrée est en soins intensifs et celui de l'autre a été arrêté, alors que la navigation nocturne reste interdite mais continue, selon l'administrateur du territoire de Kutu.
Two whaling boats travelling in opposite directions collided on Friday evening at around 8pm on the Lukeni river, at Nkolo village, several dozen kilometres from Bokoro, in Mai-Ndombe province, DR Congo, reports Actualité.cd. The boat of the "Maman Antoinette" establishments collapsed into the water with its entire cargo — salt, flour, soap, sheets of metal, clothes and cosmetics — causing major material damage.
According to Jacques Nzenza Mongie, administrator of the Kutu territory, the manager of the whaling boat that sank was admitted to intensive care, while the manager of the boat of the "Papa Jean Weto" establishments was arrested by the naval force.
The accident has revived the debate on night navigation, which is banned on the rivers and Lake Mai-Ndombe, as is the movement of wooden whaling boats. The Kutu administrator accuses the inspection services of letting boats through at night: "When the offices close for the night, it is they who must deal with everything that happens at night," he said.
A Congolese lawyer and researcher in river and lake law, Aron Matala, calls for the resources of the river police to be strengthened: more staff, training for officers, night guards, VHF radios and craft able to pursue boats that refuse to dock.
