A tragic river accident in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo has left at least 50 people dead and more than 100 missing after a motorized wooden boat caught fire and capsized on the Congo River late Tuesday night, according to local authorities.
The vessel, named HB Kongolo, was en route from the port of Matankumu to Bolomba territory when the fire broke out near the town of Mbandaka, said River Commissioner Compétent Loyoko. The incident occurred after a passenger began cooking on board, which reportedly sparked the blaze.
Several passengers, including women and children, jumped into the river to escape the flames, but many drowned as they could not swim. Survivors, many suffering from severe burns, were rescued and taken to hospitals, while about 100 others were given temporary shelter at Mbandaka town hall.
Emergency services, including the Red Cross and local authorities, continued search and rescue operations throughout Wednesday in hopes of locating more survivors.
Deadly boat accidents are tragically frequent in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where overloaded vessels, poor safety enforcement, and nighttime travel contribute to ongoing maritime disasters. With limited infrastructure and few reliable roads, many of Congo’s 100 million residents rely on river travel to reach remote communities.
In recent years, hundreds have died in similar incidents as wooden boats overcrowded with passengers and cargo navigate the country’s vast and often hazardous river networks.