Written by: Badr Ahmed

Eleven people died on Friday evening when a boat capsized in the Chari River in the Bosso region of Log-Chari province in Central Africa, after it was hit by strong and sudden winds while trying to cross the river. This incident brings back to the Chari River in the Bosso region of Log-Chari province the dangers faced by residents due to the lack of infrastructure necessary to cross the river safely.

Strong winds cause boat to capsize, killing 11 people on the Chari River

According to local sources, the boat was carrying a number of passengers as it moved between the two banks of the river, before strong winds blew in, causing the boat’s captain to lose control of it, and it capsized in the water within moments, causing a number of passengers to drown.

Rescue teams and residents rushed to the scene of the accident, where they managed to pull a number of survivors from the rubble. The search for victims continued until 11 deaths were confirmed. Authorities have not yet announced a final count of the missing, and search operations are still underway in the surrounding area in case there are any other victims.

A pall of grief descended on the Boso region following the incident, amid a widespread wave of condolences to the victims' families, while citizens and local organizations called on the authorities to take urgent measures to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies, which have become remarkably frequent in recent years.

The incident has revived longstanding public demands for the urgent construction of a bridge over the Chari River in Bosso, considered the most effective solution to ensure the safety of residents who rely daily on boats to cross the river. Locals believe the bridge would reduce the frequent drownings, improve transportation and trade, and connect communities.

Residents emphasize that the continued reliance on boats, especially during windy and rainy seasons, makes the journeys risky, and they call on the government and international partners to include the bridge project among the development and infrastructure priorities, in order to protect the lives of citizens and put an end to the series of accidents that have claimed the lives of dozens in recent years.