In a devastating incident in Central African Republic, a wooden ferry carrying over 300 passengers sank in the Mpoko River in the capital city of Bangui. The ferry was en route to a funeral when it began to collapse, leading to a tragic turn of events.
Local witnesses reported that the ferry started to sink on Friday, prompting nearby boat pilots and fishermen to spring into action. They bravely rescued victims and retrieved bodies from the river before emergency services could arrive on the scene.
One of the fishermen involved in the rescue efforts, Adrien Mossamo, shared the grim news that at least 20 bodies had been recovered by the time military personnel were called in to assist. The death toll is expected to rise as search and recovery operations continue.
Officials at Bangui University Hospital Center have confirmed that the military has taken charge of the search efforts, although the exact number of casualties remains unknown at this time. The government has not yet issued a statement regarding the tragic incident.
In response to the heartbreaking news, civil society groups and local political parties have expressed their condolences on social media platforms. Calls for a thorough investigation into the ferry sinking have also been made, as the community grapples with the loss of lives in this unforeseen tragedy.
