At least 12 people were killed and dozens remained missing after a boat capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, local media reported Sunday.

The accident occurred between Saturday night and early Sunday morning after the boat departed from Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, according to preliminary reports.

More than 80 people may have been aboard the vessel, local media reported. Rescuers had recovered at least 12 bodies and found five survivors by Sunday morning, while dozens of passengers remained unaccounted for.

Search and rescue operations were continuing, with authorities working to determine the number of people who were on board and the full scale of the disaster.

The cause of the capsizing was not immediately known.

Lake Kivu is an important transport route for communities in eastern Congo, where boats and other watercraft provide a vital means of travel between settlements.

Deadly boat accidents are relatively common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where vessels are often affected by overloading, poor maintenance and inadequate safety equipment.

Authorities have repeatedly warned passengers and operators about the risks associated with overcrowded and poorly maintained boats, but enforcement of safety regulations remains a challenge in many parts of the country. (ILKHA)