At least 148 people were found dead in Democratic Republic of Congo after a motorized wooden boat caught fire and capsized in the Congo River. The boat was carrying up to 500 passengers, including women and children, when it overturned in the country’s northwest region. Boating accidents are common in Congo due to the use of old, wooden vessels that are often overloaded. Officials believe hundreds of people are still missing, with the death toll previously estimated at 50. The boat caught fire near Mbandaka, leaving from Matankumu for Bolomba territory. About 100 survivors were sheltered at the town hall, while burn victims were taken to local hospitals. The fire started while a woman was cooking on board the boat, according to the river commissioner. Many passengers died after jumping into the water without being able to swim. This incident is not the first of its kind, as similar accidents have occurred in the past, such as a boat capsizing in Lake Kivu in 2024 and another sinking in western Congo in December. Boating safety remains a concern in the region due to the use of outdated vessels and overloading.
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