Fact Check: Viral Boat Accident Video That Claimed 78 Lives Is Actually From Congo, Not Goa

A video circulating on social media, which depicts a boat sinking and people struggling in the water, is being wrongly attributed to an accident in Goa.

Claims have surfaced stating that an overloaded steamer capsized in Goa, resulting in the recovery of 23 bodies, with 40 people rescued and 64 still missing. However, our investigation has revealed that this claim is entirely misleading.

The Viral Claims

Various users on social media platforms have been sharing the video, attributing the tragic incident to Goa. An X user named Rana Sangha (@Sangha2Bs) wrote, "An overloaded steamer boat met with an accident in Goa today. 40 people were rescued, 64 missing, and 23 bodies recovered. The greed of the boat owner led to this accident." Another user, VR Ganti (@GantiVr), echoed these sentiments, stating, "23 bodies recovered, 40 rescued, and 64 missing in today's accident in Goa. The greed of the boat owner, overloading, and overconfidence of passengers. Very sad."

Additionally, a YouTube channel named Craft All in One shared the video, claiming, "Accident in Goa today, 23 bodies recovered, 40 people rescued, 64 missing, boat owner involved in overloading."

Goa Police Clarifies on Goa Boat Accident

Goa Police clarified that the circulating video claiming a boat capsized near Goa is fake news, stating, "This incident occurred in Goma, Congo, Africa. Please refrain from sharing unverified news," on their official X handle on Saturday, October 5.

Meanwhile, Congolese authorities are investigating another boat capsizing incident that happened last month on the Kwango River. The Ministry of Justice announced that these investigations will seek to clarify the circumstances surrounding these tragic events and hold accountable those responsible for the accidents.

According to South Kivu's governor, the confirmed death toll stands at 78, with 278 people reported to be on board, and he warned that the toll may rise. "It will take at least three days to determine the exact numbers, as not all bodies have been recovered yet," Governor Jean Jacques Purisi told Reuters.