Goa Boat Capsizes with Hundreds Aboard; Police Respond

Photo: Reuters 

Goa police have issued a clarification following the circulation of a viral video claiming that a boat with hundreds of passengers had capsized in Goa. The misleading post, shared by multiple users on social media, suggested that the incident involved a tragic accident resulting in 23 deaths and 64 missing individuals.

The video in question is actually from a recent incident in Goma, Congo, where an overcrowded steamer capsized, leading to the deaths of at least 78 people.

The false claim on X stated, “Accident of overloaded steamer boat today in Goa. 40 people rescued, 64 missing, and 23 bodies recovered. Greed of boat owner led to this accident (sic).” As this post gained traction, Goa Police quickly responded to the misinformation.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

In an official statement, the authorities emphasized, “A video circulating on social media claims a boat capsized near Goa's shores. This is false. The incident occurred in Goma, Congo, Africa.” They urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified news and highlighted the dangers of misinformation.

In the actual incident in Congo, at least 78 people lost their lives when an overloaded passenger boat capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo. The tragedy occurred on Thursday, with ongoing search operations for several individuals still missing. Reports indicate that the boat was carrying approximately 278 passengers at the time it sank while attempting to dock just a few meters from the port of Kituku.

Witnesses reported seeing rescue teams recover at least 50 bodies from the lake's waters. The government has consistently warned against the dangers of overloading vessels and violating safety regulations. However, in remote areas, many passengers often opt for overloaded boats due to the scarcity of public transportation and the poor state of available roads.

Jean-Jacques Purusi, the governor of South Kivu province, stated, “We will establish responsibilities and put in place a sanctions regime but also recommendations to improve navigation on the lake.” He also noted that the lack of adequate safety equipment—such as life jackets—and negligence contributed to the disaster. Additionally, it was reported that there had been a strong storm in the area on the morning of the accident, further complicating the situation.

As investigations continue, authorities are focusing on implementing measures to enhance safety standards for water transportation to prevent future tragedies.

#trending #latest #Goa #BoatAccident #Congo #ViralVideo #Misinformation #SafetyFirst #WaterTransport #PublicSafety #CongoTragedy #SocialMedia #PoliceClarification #OverloadedVessel #LakeKivu #AccidentPrevention #EmergencyResponse #SafetyRegulations #TravelNews #CommunityAwareness #FactCheck #breakingnews #worldnews #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai

Called “On the Trail of the Golden Owl,” the treasure hunt attracted tens of thousands globally....Read More.

The UAE-Serbia CEPA is the first with a non-WTO member, says Minister Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi...Read More.