Boat Carrying Congolese Refuges Capsizes In Lake Albert, 4 Dead

Four Congolese family members are reported dead after a boat they were sailing in capsized on Lake Albert yesterday morning.

The boat reportedly carrying five family members fleeing the tribal clash in Ituri region in the Democratic Republic of Congo capsized midway on the waters of lake Albert.

Steven John Ekom, the chairman Hoima disaster Management committee and also Resident District Commissioner Hoima has confirmed the report saying only one person survived.

He said the bodies are not yet retrieved and no identities know yet. He attributed the cause of accident to overloading saying preliminary reports indicate the boat was overloaded with family language.

The number of deaths has risen to seven in a space of one week. Last Friday, an elderly Congolese woman carrying a child on her back drowned at Sebigoro landing site while fetching water.

Reports indicate the woman reportedly went to fetch water after arriving while tired when she drowned with the baby.

Vicent Opio, the Kabwoya district councilor said another child aged five died on Thursday after arrival at Nyawaiga due to malaria. Opio says the number of refugees fleeing DR Congo has doubled since last week.

He however decries the limited sanitary facilities especially latrines rising fears that cholera or dysentery may breakout anytime if no measures are put in place.