The death toll from a boat fire and capsizing in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 148, with more than 100 people still missing, officials reported on Friday.
The tragedy occurred on Tuesday when a wooden boat carrying around 500 passengers caught fire on the Congo River in the country’s north-west.
The fire started while a person was cooking on board the vessel, according to Compétent Loyoko, the river commissioner.
The catastrophe was further compounded by several passengers, including women and children, jumping into the water without being able to swim, resulting in their deaths.
Dozens were saved, but many of the survivors were left badly burnt, with some suffering from third-degree burns.
The search for the missing involved rescue teams supported by the Red Cross and provincial authorities.
The motorised wooden boat, HB Kongola, had departed from the port of Matankumu for the Bolomba territory when it caught fire near the town of Mbandaka.
Senator Jean-Paul Boketsu Bofili described the death toll as “extremely high,” with over 150 survivors suffering from severe burns without humanitarian assistance.
“The death toll among the 500 passengers on board was extremely high,” Bofili said.
“As we speak, more than 150 survivors suffering from third-degree burns are without humanitarian assistance.”
Deadly boat accidents are common in the central African country, often blamed on late-night travels and overcrowded vessels.
Authorities have struggled to enforce maritime regulations, despite the risks.
Congo’s rivers are a vital means of transport for its over 100 million people, especially in remote areas with limited infrastructure.
Bofili lamented the frequent boat accidents, saying, “Our magnificent Congo River and the lakes our country abounds in have become huge cemeteries for the Congolese people.”
“This is unacceptable,” he added, highlighting the need for improved safety measures.
