At least 78 individuals died this week after a boat capsized on Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a local governor said.

Jean-Jacques Purusi, governor of the South Kivu province, spoke to The Associated Press after the incident. He reported that at least 78 people lost their lives but added that number could rise. Earlier in the day, witnesses estimated that at least 50 people had died and 10 survivors were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Witnesses also said the overcrowded boat sank just meters from the dock as it attempted to reach the port of Kituku. The vessel had been traveling from Minova, located in South Kivu province, to Goma in North Kivu province.

Local officials reported that rescue operations were ongoing, though the exact number of casualties remained uncertain. In a similar incident in February, most of the 50 passengers aboard a wooden boat were presumed dead after it capsized on Lake Kivu.

While speaking with a local radio station after the incident, Purusi said, "This boat was carrying about a hundred people when it had the capacity for about thirty passengers."