50 Dead in Congo After Truck Falls Into Lake

VOA News
August 12, 2010 at 10:45 am

Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo say at least 50 people died when the overloaded truck they were traveling in plunged into Africa’s deepest lake.

Local authorities say the truck, which was also transporting goods, fell into Lake Tanganyika late Wednesday. The authorities believe at least six passengers survived the crash, but they have not confirmed the cause.

Last month, at least 230 people died in a fuel truck explosion — also in the east of the country.

Road accidents are common in Congo, where the infrastructure has been battered by years of war.

Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.