A man died instantly after the car he was driving in swerved off the road and plunged into Lake Kivu on Wednesday.

The incident happened at Nengo Cell, Gisenyi Sector in Rubavu District- around 200 metres from the Rwanda- DR Congo main border commonly known as La Grande Barrière.

Superintendent Emmanuel Hitayezu, the Western Province regional Police spokesperson said the accident happened at around 10a.m.

He said the car with registration number 2660/AC192CGO was heading to Rubavu town from the border.

The road from La Grande Barrière to Rubavu stretches along the banks of Lake Kivu.

Police identified the deceased as Desiré Butera Migabo.

Hitayezu said that the police and army marine personnel rushed to the scene after the incident but could not save the victim.

His body was later retrieved by rescuers.

Hitayezu said preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle had a mechanical fault.

"The car developed a mechanical fault and the driver failed to control it thus plunging into the water. The driver died instantly but his body was retrieved before the car was also removed from the lake,” Hitayezu said.

Police said the incident could have been avoided.