On 22 April 2014, a freight train derailed near the Katongola Bridge[1] in Haut-Lomami Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

[3] The rail system of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is poorly maintained and has fallen into a state of disrepair after years of conflict within the country.

Much of the system was built during the colonial period and received few upgrades since the end of Belgian rule in 1960 until a recent program financed by the World Bank.

[5] Between 10:00 and 11:00 local time (8:00–9:00 UTC) on 22 April 2014, a freight train derailed near Katongola, about 65 kilometres (40 mi) north of Kamina in the Haut-Lomami Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

[2] Army medics and MONUSCO personnel were aided by a heavy crane in their efforts to free people trapped under piles of debris.