ISLAMABAD: A tragic river accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has left at least 50 people dead and over 100 missing after a motorised wooden boat caught fire and capsized on the Congo River late Tuesday night.
Local officials said the overloaded vessel, carrying around 400 passengers, caught fire near Mbandaka in Équateur Province. The boat had departed from Matankumu port en route to Bolomba Territory.
The fire reportedly started when a passenger attempted to cook food onboard—a dangerous yet common practice on Congolese riverboats. The flames spread rapidly, forcing passengers, including women and children, to jump into the river. Many drowned, unable to swim, while others sustained severe burns.
Rescue teams have saved around 100 survivors, now sheltered at Mbandaka’s town hall. Search and recovery operations are ongoing, but authorities fear the death toll will rise.
River Commissioner Competent Loyoko confirmed the incident, highlighting the recurring danger of unsafe river travel in the DRC. Overcrowding, poor maintenance, and a lack of safety measures make deadly accidents alarmingly common.
In 2024 alone, similar tragedies killed dozens—38 in a Christmas ferry sinking and 78 in an October capsizing on Lake Kivu.
While officials have pledged an investigation and tighter safety regulations, critics argue that urgent reforms and infrastructure upgrades are essential to prevent future disasters.
