The collision occurred Sunday evening near Ngombe-Lukolela in Équateur province, according to provincial Interior Minister Crispin Mputu.

The two boats were traveling in opposite directions. One was heading from the Ubangi area toward Kinshasa, while the other was traveling from Kinshasa toward Lukolela.

Search operations were continuing for survivors and additional victims.

Cause remains unclear

Authorities have not established what caused the collision.

Mputu said nighttime navigation has contributed to numerous boat accidents in the country. He did not identify it as the confirmed cause of this crash.

An unnamed security officer who witnessed the incident said one of the boats appeared to be overloaded with goods. The officer also said the vessel sank after the collision, trapping passengers underwater.

That account has not established that overloading caused the accident.

The 30 people confirmed dead had already been buried, according to Mputu.

Rescue operation continues

The number of missing passengers remains unclear. Authorities have not provided a verified total number of people aboard the two vessels.

The continuing search means the death toll could rise as rescuers recover additional victims or find survivors.

River transport is a major means of travel in many parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where limited infrastructure makes waterways important for moving people and goods.

Deadly boat accidents have repeatedly raised concerns about overcrowding, nighttime travel and safety standards. A separate boat disaster in Kasaï province in July killed at least 20 people.

The immediate focus remains on locating those still missing and determining what caused the collision.

Reporting Credit: Équateur Provincial Interior Ministry; Équateur provincial authorities; Congolese security authorities.

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A birthday celebration on Lake Tahoe ended in heartbreak over the weekend when a boat carrying 10 people capsized during a sudden, violent thunderstorm—killing eight passengers, including four members of a Northern California family.

Among the victims was 37-year-old Josh Pickles of San Francisco, his parents—Terry Pickles, 73, and Paula Bozinovich, 71, of Redwood City—and his uncle, Peter Bayes, 72, of Lincoln. The family had gathered to celebrate Bozinovich’s birthday on the lake.

“What was supposed to be a joyful day turned into a nightmare,” said Josh’s wife, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, in a statement Tuesday. “No words can express the pain and anguish we feel knowing their lives were lost.”

Two people survived the incident, but their identities and conditions have not yet been released.

A Day Meant for Celebration

The group had set out on a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft boat—purchased by Josh about a year ago—near D.L. Bliss State Park on Lake Tahoe’s southwest shore. According to family spokesperson Sam Singer, the outing marked only the second time the family had used the boat. Jordan, Josh’s wife, had stayed home to care for their 7-month-old daughter.

The couple, married in 2023, lived between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. Both worked in the tech industry—Josh at DoorDash and Jordan at Airbnb.

Ravi Inukonda, CFO of DoorDash, remembered Josh as “an inspiration” and a valued team member during his nearly seven-year tenure. “We are heartbroken,” Inukonda said. “Our thoughts and love are with his wife, daughter, and all who knew him.”

Storm Caught Everyone Off Guard

The accident occurred Saturday around 3 p.m. as a powerful and fast-moving thunderstorm unexpectedly swept across the southern part of the lake, kicking up waves over 8 feet high and winds reaching 35 mph. Meteorologists had forecast rain, but not the intense squall that struck.

“We weren’t expecting it to be so strong,” said Matthew Chyba, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Reno. Cooler-than-normal temperatures in the area may have contributed to the storm’s ferocity.

The waves flooded the boat and stalled its engine, according to Singer, who relayed details from the family. The vessel capsized shortly afterward.

Other Victims Identified

In addition to the Pickles family members, authorities identified four other victims:

• Timothy O’Leary, 71, of Auburn, California
• Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, both of Honeoye, New York
• Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater, New York

A Rare and Devastating Incident

While Lake Tahoe sees a handful of accidental deaths each summer—an average of six—boating accidents with this many casualties are extremely rare.

“This is one of the worst incidents I’ve seen in 16 years,” said Lt. Scott Crivelli of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department. The last major spike in fatalities came in 2021, with a record 15 deaths, but none in a single event of this scale.

As families and friends grieve, authorities continue investigating the tragedy and reviewing weather protocols. For now, it’s a sobering reminder of how quickly nature can turn even the most joyful moments into heartbreak.

Source: AP News – 4 family members celebrating a birthday are among 8 dead from a boat capsize on Lake Tahoe

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CLEARWATER, Fla. — A tragic boat crash near the Memorial Causeway Bridge left one person dead and several others injured on Sunday. Authorities have declared the incident a “mass casualty” event, with multiple passengers from the ferry suffering injuries.

The crash occurred when a boat collided with a ferry carrying over 40 people. Following the collision, the boat fled the scene, and authorities are still investigating the details of its involvement.

The ferry, which had been struck by the boat, came to a halt on a sandbar just south of the Memorial Causeway Bridge. Clearwater Police and Fire & Rescue responded swiftly, with emergency personnel seen rushing to the scene. Social media videos captured flashing lights and first responders on-site, attending to the injured.

Police reported that all passengers were safely removed from the ferry, though the number of injuries was not immediately disclosed. Helicopters were called in to transport two of the most seriously injured individuals to nearby hospitals.

The Clearwater Police Department confirmed that the crash resulted in a mass casualty incident. Authorities have not released any details about the person who died, nor have they provided information about the fleeing boat.

Local hospitals have been put on high alert as multiple trauma alerts were issued in response to the injuries. Investigations into the crash are now being led by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Authorities have advised drivers to avoid the Memorial Causeway area as emergency services continue their response. Further updates are expected as the investigation unfolds.

Source: AP News – 1 dead as Florida authorities declare a ‘mass casualty’ in boat crash near Clearwater bridge

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