The bodies, those of a man, a woman and a child, were found on January 27, 2026.
According to SOS Médias Burundi, the bodies were spotted early Tuesday morning by fishermen carrying out routine activities on the river. After noticing the bodies drifting in the water, the fishermen immediately alerted security personnel stationed near the border.
Soldiers and other security officers subsequently informed local administrative authorities, who arrived at the scene to launch an investigation.
By the time the bodies were recovered, they were in an advanced state of decomposition, making it impossible to transport them to a medical mortuary. Authorities therefore ordered that the bodies be buried near the site where they were found, along the banks of River Rusizi.
Security officials said the bodies are believed to belong to Congolese nationals who were attempting to cross the river illegally. It is suspected that strong currents overwhelmed them, leading to their deaths. Their identities remain unknown, as no identification documents were found.
Local authorities have reminded residents that crossing the Rusizi River is prohibited, particularly at a time when water levels are dangerously high, and have urged people to avoid illegal cross-border movements.
These deaths add to a growing toll in Bujumbura Province, where at least 15 bodies have reportedly been recovered since December 2025.
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