A tragic boat accident has occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leaving at least 50 people dead and hundreds missing. The incident occurred on the Congo River late on Tuesday night when a motorised wooden boat carrying around 400 passengers caught fire near the town of Mbandaka. Dozens of survivors were saved, with many sustaining burn injuries.
The boat, named HB Kongolo, had departed from the port of Matankumu for the Bolomba territory. Rescue teams, supported by the Red Cross and provincial authorities, are currently searching for the missing individuals. Approximately 100 survivors have been taken to an improvised shelter at the Mbandaka town hall, while those with burn injuries have been transported to local hospitals.
The fire is believed to have started when a woman was cooking on board the boat. Tragically, several passengers, including women and children, lost their lives after jumping into the water without being able to swim. Boat accidents are a common occurrence in the DRC, where overcrowded vessels and late-night travels are often to blame. Enforcement of maritime regulations has been a challenge for authorities in the country.
The Congo River serves as a major means of transport for the DRC’s population, particularly in remote areas with poor infrastructure. In recent years, numerous lives have been lost in boat accidents as more people opt for wooden vessels due to lack of alternative transportation options.
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