DEADLIEST JOURNEY: CONGO KATANGA

In Katanga many people are waiting for a train named after a bird, the “Swallow”. More than 2000 people, three times the train’s capacity, are squeezing in the carriages. Conditions are precarious in the “Swallow”, which crosses the whole country in more than a week, stopping in several villages. But 1600km are difficult for this 50 year old bird. The rails aren’t well maintained, accidents are frequent and the journey is risky especially for those who choose to travel on the top of the train.