Six feared dead, 24 rescued as ship sinks in lake
Strong winds on Africa's deepest lake have sunk a ship in south east Congo, killing at least six passengers.
Meanwhile fishermen and Rwandan naval speed boats have rescued 24 others.
Hundreds of relatives and onlookers rushed to the dilapidated port in Kalemie for news about relatives expected to arrive from the Tanzanian town of Kigoma aboard the vessel.
The MV Fatuma sank when strong winds and waves overpowered it after the engines died three miles from Kalemie, said Kikoy Mango, the manager of the vessel and a survivor of the sinking.
"The fuel filters developed problems, forcing the boat to travel at slow speed before the engines died," he said, shortly after being taken to Kalemie's government hospital.
"Strong winds then caught up with us together with massive waves that flooded the engine room."
Kimanu Lumalizao, another survivor at the hospital said: "We tossed our baggage and cargo overboard but it was no use. Water kept flooding the vessel before it sank and it was everyone for himself."
Clinging to planks of wood, lifejackets and other floating debris, survivors spent four hours in the lake before fishermen in dug-out canoes heard cries for help and came to the rescue, Mr Mango said.
Two Rwandan naval speedboats and a Congolese rebel cargo vessel were also dispatched to the scene, while an aircraft arriving in Kalemie with UN World Food Program personnel and journalists flew over the area in search of survivors.
Angry survivors claimed everyone could have been saved if MV Fatuma had radio communication with Kalemie.
The communication system was stolen in 1996 when soldiers loyal to dictator Mobutu Sese Seko fled aboard the vessel to escape rebels who eventually ended his 30-year rule.
