At least 20 dead after a ferry sinks in Central African Republic, witnesses say
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — At least 20 people have drowned in Central African Republic after a ferry sank while carrying passengers on a river, witnesses said Saturday.
The wooden ferry was carrying more than 300 people to a funeral over the Mpoko River in the capital, Bangui, on Friday when it started to collapse, witnesses told The Associated Press on Saturday. Local boat pilots and fishermen were the first to react and rescued victims and collected bodies from the river before the emergency services arrived.
One fisherman who involved in the rescue, Adrien Mossamo, said that at least 20 bodies were found while waiting for the military to arrive.
“It’s a horrible day,” he said.
The death toll is rising as the military takes over the search, officials at Bangui University Hospital Center said. The exact number of deaths is currently unknown and the government didn’t comment.
Civil society groups and local political parties sent their condolences in social media posts and called for an inquest into the sinking.
Related articles
Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
Noel Gallagher has insisted he would still back Tony Blair for PM - as he warned Keir Starmer not to2024-05-21Astronomers find vast underground ocean under Saturn's Death Star
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Astronomers have found the best evidence yet of a vast, young ocean bene2024-05-21Western leaders in Kyiv, G7 pledge support for Ukraine on war anniversary
By Olena Harmash and Angelo Amante for ReutersFrom left: Justin Trudeau, Giorgia Meloni, Ursula von2024-05-21US measles cases are up in 2024. What's driving the increase?
Measles outbreaks in the U.S. and abroad are raising health experts’ concern about the preventable,2024-05-21Who is Jacob Zuma, the former South African president disqualified from next week's election?
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South African President Jacob Zuma was barred Monday from running for Par2024-05-21Voodoo doll, whoopie cushion, denture powder among bizarre trash plucked from New Jersey beaches
BRICK, N.J. (AP) — Jersey Shore beach season is almost here, and if last year is any indication, it2024-05-21
atest comment