Best Documentary
Deadliest Journeys - Congo: The Last Train in Katanga
In Katanga more than 2000 people, three times the train's capacity, are squeezing in the carriages of the Swallow. Conditions are precarious on the train, which crosses the whole country in more than a week, stopping in several villages. But the journey isn't easy. The rails are poorly maintained, accidents frequent and the journey is risky.
00:00 The majority of roads in the Congo are either impossible to traverse or simply non-existent. Unfortunately, air travel, the only dependable mode of transportation, remains inaccessible to the Congolese population.
04:25 In the southern region, the Hirondelle train embarks on a journey that spans half the country, connecting Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga, to Ilebo. This train serves as the sole lifeline for the most isolated villages.
13:40 During the rainy season, the roads become completely impassable.
20:00 Some individuals resort to crossing the country on bicycles in order to sell their goods.
27:15 Trains are frequently halted to accommodate hurried passengers.
31:21 Within the Congo, certain territories are still governed by traditional kings.
37:40 On dilapidated roads, bicycles require frequent repairs.
44:17 Regularly targeted by saboteurs, traffickers bring the train to a halt, disrupting its operations.
Published Dec 30, 2020
