At least 32 dead, dozens missing after Congo capsize
At least 32 people were killed and dozens remain missing in Democratic Republic of Congo's Equateur Province after two boats carrying more than 100 passengers capsized in Lake Tumba, local authorities told Reuters.
The boats departed Bikoro port on the eastern shores of the lake on Wednesday afternoon despite "clear overloading and unstable weather conditions," according to a statement from a provincial civil society group, the Provincial Coordination of the Panel of Civil Society Experts of Equateur.
"Witnesses reported that the overcrowding was so severe that passengers were being turned away from the canoes," said Akula Dieu, a member of the civil society group.
Reuters could not confirm the weather conditions or details about possible overloading.
A state official, Bikoro Lake Commissioner Gabriel Ifulu Bongolomba, told Reuters that a family had requisitioned two boats to transport people for a funeral from an unauthorised embarkation point.
Heavy waves caused by the rains struck the vessels, causing them to capsize, he said. Rescue efforts were ongoing, he added, but said responders faced challenges due to a lack of essential equipment, including life jackets and boats.
"We're forced to requisition private boats for this type of operation, but sometimes we don't even have enough fuel to carry out our work properly," Bongolomba said.
Deadly boat accidents are common in Congolese waters, where vessels are frequently overloaded, posing significant safety risks.
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Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
At least 32 dead, dozens missing after Congo capsize
At least 32 people were killed and dozens remain missing in Democratic Republic of Congo's Equateur Province after two boats carrying more than 100 passengers capsized in Lake Tumba, local authorities told Reuters. The boats departed Bikoro port on the eastern shores of the lake on Wednesday afternoon despite "clear overloading and unstable weather conditions," according to a statement from a provincial civil society group, the Provincial Coordination of the Panel of Civil Society Experts of Equateur. "Witnesses reported that the overcrowding was so severe that passengers were being turned away from the canoes," said Akula Dieu, a member of the civil society group. Reuters could not confirm the weather conditions or details about possible overloading. A state official, Bikoro Lake Commissioner Gabriel Ifulu Bongolomba, told Reuters that a family had requisitioned two boats to transport people for a funeral from an unauthorised embarkation point. Heavy waves caused by the rains struck the vessels, causing them to capsize, he said. Rescue efforts were ongoing, he added, but said responders faced challenges due to a lack of essential equipment, including life jackets and boats. "We're forced to requisition private boats for this type of operation, but sometimes we don't even have enough fuel to carry out our work properly," Bongolomba said. Deadly boat accidents are common in Congolese waters, where vessels are frequently overloaded, posing significant safety risks.
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Reminder of home boosts Aussie's bid for first LPGA win
The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. "It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said. "I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal. "I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy. "I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home." Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th. After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard. "After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said. "So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked." First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75). With Reuters. The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. "It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said. "I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal. "I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy. "I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home." Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th. After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard. "After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said. "So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked." First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75). With Reuters. The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. "It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said. "I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal. "I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy. "I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home." Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th. After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard. "After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said. "So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked." First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75). With Reuters. The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. "It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said. "I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal. "I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy. "I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home." Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th. After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard. "After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said. "So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked." First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75). With Reuters.
ABC News
28-04-2025
- ABC News
How a power outage caused chaos in Spain and Portugal
The power went out at 12.33pm local time in Spain and Portugal — and soon afterwards, life in major cities along the Iberian Peninsula came to a halt. A Hospitals resorted to back-up power, public transport stopped, cities were gridlocked and more than 50 million people were urged to return home. The latest update from the Spanish grid operator is that a "return to normal will still take several hours." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the outage had caused "serious disruption" for millions and "economic losses in businesses, in companies, in industries". The network lost 15 gigawatts of electricity generation in five seconds at around midday local time, the Spanish energy ministry said, without explaining the reason for the loss. REE's system operations chief Eduardo Prieto told reporters the loss of power supply was beyond the extent that European systems are designed to handle and caused the Spanish and French grids to disconnect. That in turn led to the collapse of the Spanish electricity network. "As the result of this disconnection and the serious imbalance of band generation that is in our electrical system, the electrical system collapsed," he said in a news conference. The ultimate reasons behind the massive loss of power were not identified by REE staff and no hypothesis was being ruled out, Spain's PM said in national address. Here's how the power cut caused chaos in the region. Hospitals switched to back up power Hospitals and other emergency services in Spain and Portugal were forced to switch to generators. The generators were used to keep critical wards going, but some other units were left without power. Hospitals in the region relied on generators. ( Reuters: Nacho Doce ) Routine operations were cancelled in some hospitals and patients dependent on oxygen machines at home were also affected, El Pais reported. Portugal's electricity distributor REN said it was prioritising supply resumption to hospitals. Gridlocked cities and transport cancellations Transport was heavily affected, with people travelling via car, bus, train, plane and even cable car all stuck at a standstill. On the roads, police were conducting traffic at some major junctions because traffic lights had stopped working. Many roads in Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon and other affected cities were gridlocked. Many locals in Madrid were forced to walk as all transport was halted. ( Reuters: Susana Vera ) There were long queues at bus stops and many people appeared to have decided to walk home, with the streets full of pedestrians. A young girl, Marina Sierra, tried to contact her dad and improvise a route home in her Madrid suburb after her school was shut. "The building we were in was giving off smoke, they had to evacuate us quickly," she said. " I'm shocked because everything is totally out of control. " The entire train network came to a halt as passengers were forced to wait on platforms with no trains in operation. All the trains were stopped in Spain. ( Reuters: Ana Beltran ) Others weren't so lucky, as some trains came to a screeching halt on the line as they were moving at high speed. Carlos Condori was on the Madrid metro when the blackout brought his journey to a shuddering halt. "The light went out and the carriage stopped," but the train managed to crawl to the platform, the 19-year-old construction worker told AFP outside a metro station in central Madrid. "People were stunned, because this had never happened in Spain," he added. Panic buying at supermarkets Businesses were taking measures "to prevent panic buying and ensure the safety of all," retail industry association EuroCommerce said. In Portugal, many supermarkets in the capital Lisbon and the resort town of Vilamoura had shut. Many people in Spain were panic buying food items. ( Reuters: Nacho Doce ) In a supermarket in Madrid, people were stocking up on water, eggs and milk and some shelves were already empty as long lines formed for the tills. "I left work and the power suddenly went and people started buying," said Joanly Perez, a 33-year-old doctor in Madrid. "People aren't sure what might happen and are buying basic essentials, just in case." Many stores and taxis in Madrid were no longer accepting electronic payments, and some local shops were giving credit to frequent customers. Retailers including grocery chain Lidl and IKEA shut stores across Spain and Portugal after the outage. Spare a thought for people who were stuck in lifts and cable cars as the power went out. Emergency services workers carried out 286 rescue operations to free people trapped inside elevators in Madrid, the head of the regional government said. Candles at Madrid Open Play at the Madrid Open was cancelled, forcing 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov and his British opponent Jacob Fearnley off court as Photo shows A woman holds candles on a tray, smiling Play at the Madrid Open tennis tournament is cancelled as a power outrage affects all of Spain. The round of 32 match at the Manolo Santana Stadium where Dimitrov led Fearnley 6-4, 5-4 had to be stopped due to a spidercam being left hanging too close to the court. "The nationwide power cut experienced in Spain on Monday 28 April has forced the cancellation of both the day and night sessions," the Madrid Open posted on X. Fourth seed Coco Gauff, who beat Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals, had her post-match interview at the Arantxa Sanchez Stadium cut short with the microphone losing power. Nuclear power reactors shut down The operators of Spain's nuclear reactors were preparing to reconnect to the power grid as they recovered their external electricity supply, the country's nuclear safety council said. It had said earlier that the reactors were in safe condition. Four reactors stopped operating automatically after the outage, after which emergency generators kicked in. Spanish oil company Moeve said it had halted operations at its oil refineries in the region as well. Police have been directing people after a state of emergency was declared. ( Reuters: Susana Vera ) Madrid, Andalusia and Extremadura asked for the central government to take over public order and other functions. Pilar Lopez, a higher education administrator from Madrid tried to put some perspective on the situation. "We've suffered a pandemic, I don't think this is worse," she said. " It's like anything, you get used to it and start to think that this isn't the end of the world. " ABC/wires
