DRC: the toll of the train accident in Katanga increases
A railway near the city of Lubumbashi in Katanga in 2011 (Illustrative image).
© PHIL MOORE/AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
In southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the death toll from a freight train derailment in Lubudi territory, Lualaba this weekend has risen to 60 to 75 after more bodies were discovered.
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With our correspondent in Kinshasa,
Pascal Mulegwa
It was at the end of an inspection visit to the place
of the derailment of the train
that the director of the National Railway Company of Congo (SNCC), Fabien Mutomb communicated the new assessment.
According to the SNCC, the accident was caused by "
the sudden cut in traction which caused the train and the wagons to drift into a ravine
".
For its part, the government deplored the tragedy and offered its condolences to the bereaved families.
The government claims to have made arrangements for the care of victims.
The director general of the SNCC is expected Monday in Kinshasa for a crisis meeting with the government.
But already in the opposition, Felix Momat, the general secretary of the Awakening of Conscience for Work and Development (ECT) party, demands from the government a dignified funeral and compensation for all victims.
How sad to realize that at least 60 people lost their lives in the derailment of a Congo National Railways freight train in Kitenta/Lubudi, Lualaba.
Courage to the bereaved families and speedy recovery to the injured.
My condolences!
pic.twitter.com/OSDZqBCUsj
— Felix Momat (@FelixMomat) March 12, 2022
The railway company says the victims are stowaways who stormed this freight train.
For civil society, it is because of the lack of means of transport in the region that the inhabitants resort to this kind of practice.
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