Shocking footage shows tragic moment overloaded ferry capsizes as death toll rises to 78

Horrific footage has emerged showing the exact moment an overcrowded ferry fatally capsized.

The boat, which was sailing across Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, was just a few hundred feet from the port of Kituku - where it was due to dock, just outside the city of Goma, and unload its 278 passengers onboard.

But tragedy struck as the vessel, named MV Merdy, which travelled from the town of Minova, situated to the northeast of the lake, capsized on Thursday morning - with survivors claiming it was built for the capacity of just 80 people.

The death toll of the tragic incident continues to rise, with 78 people - including children and women, having been confirmed so far.

Governor of Congo's South Kivu province, Jean Jacques Purisi, explained how the initial numbers were just provisional, but believes there will be more.

Speaking to Reuters, he said: "It'll take at least three days to get the exact numbers, because not all the bodies have been found yet."

MV Merdy, the vessel taking passengers from Minova to Goma, sunk with 278 people onboard - according to officials (Madame Rayane Omari Ramlathy)

While speaking to Associated Press, he added: “We will establish responsibilities and put in place a sanctions regime but also recommendations to improve navigation on the lake."

He further explained how the ship had no life jackets onboard, which paired with the overcrowding and a strong storm which hit the lake earlier on, contributed to the number of deaths.

Many witnessed the event unfold from the docks, including Francine Munyi, who recalled the moment tragedy struck to the agency: "I was at the port of Kituku when I saw the boat arriving from Minova, full of passengers.

“It started to lose its balance and sank into the lake. Some people threw themselves into the water.

She added: “Many died, and few were saved.

Passengers sail on a handmade wooden boat on Lake Kivu from Minova to Goma, back in March (ALEXIS HUGUET/AFP via Getty Images)

"I couldn’t help them because I don’t know how to swim.”

Bahati Selemani was working on the docks when he witnessed the tragic accident on the African lake.

Speaking to AP about what happened, he said: "We saw the boat start to capsize. We noticed that the boat was very overloaded and there were also strong waves.

"After that, the boat started to capsize little by little. Those who were upstairs started to throw themselves into the lake, and the boat capsized directly into the lake."

Agence France-Presse, a French news agency, has reported that there have been at least two children who have died in hospital following the accident.