At least 148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo: reports
Tragedy Strikes in Democratic Republic of Congo as Boat Capsizes, Leaving at Least 148 Dead
A devastating incident unfolded in the Democratic Republic of Congo when a motorized wooden boat carrying around 500 passengers caught fire and capsized in the Congo River. The tragic event occurred in the country’s northwest region, resulting in the loss of at least 148 lives, including women and children.
Boating accidents are unfortunately not uncommon in Congo, where old, overloaded wooden vessels serve as the primary mode of transportation between villages. These vessels are often loaded far beyond their capacity, making them vulnerable to disasters like the recent one that claimed numerous lives.
The flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is seen in Beijing, May 26, 2023. (Photo by Wang Xin/VCG)
Local officials fear that hundreds of passengers are still missing following the tragic incident. Initially, reports estimated the death toll at 50, but the number has tragically risen to at least 148 confirmed fatalities.
The ill-fated boat, known as HB Kongolo, caught fire near Mbandaka after departing from Matankumu en route to the Bolomba territory. Around 100 survivors have been relocated to a makeshift shelter at the local town hall, with burn victims receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, according to Sky News.
The catastrophe unfolded when a fire broke out while a woman was cooking onboard the vessel, revealed Compétent Loyoko, the river commissioner, to the Associated Press. Heartbreakingly, several passengers, including women and children, lost their lives after jumping into the water despite being unable to swim.
In a sobering reminder of previous maritime tragedies, 78 individuals perished in 2024 when a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized in Lake Kivu in eastern Congo. Additionally, another 22 lives were lost in December of the same year when a river boat sank in western Congo, underscoring the dangers faced by those reliant on water transport in the region.
