At Least 50 Dead, Hundreds Missing After Fire Causes Boat to Capsize on Late Night River Voyage

A boat that caught fire in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo capsized, leaving at least 50 dead and hundreds missing, according to authorities. 

The incident took place in the late evening of Tuesday, April 15, in the Congo River, the Associated Press and Al Jazeera reported. 

Compétent Loyoko, a river commissioner, said a motorized wooden boat, HB Kongolo, which carried 400 people, was on fire in the vicinity of the town of Mbandaka, according to the AP. 

The vessel had departed the port of Matankumu and was heading for the Bolomba territory, the news service added. 

Loyoko said the incident started when a person was cooking on the boat. Video obtained by the Lokmat Times showed eyewitnesses watching on as the boat caught fire.

A number of the boat’s passengers, among them women and children, died after jumping into the water and being unable to swim. The AP also reported that dozens were rescued following the accident, with many of the survivors sustaining major burns. 

Approximately 100 survivors from the accident were transported to the Mbandaka town hall, where a temporary shelter has been set up. 

A search by authorities began on Wednesday, April 16, for those unaccounted for. 

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Deadly boating incidents are a common occurrence in the DR Congo, Al-Jazeera reported, adding that rescue teams lacked experience and were inadequately prepared for emergencies. 

In December 2024, about 38 people died and over 100 went missing after a ferry capsized in the Busira River, Al Jazeera reported. That October, at least 78 people died when a boat carrying 278 people capsized, according to the outlet. 

PEOPLE contacted the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday, April 17, for additional information.