At least 148 people have been confirmed dead and over 100 remain missing after a wooden motorised boat caught fire and capsized on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this week. According to local officials cited by media reports on Friday, the disaster occurred near the town of Mbandaka in the country’s north-western region on Tuesday.
The vessel, named HB Kongolo, was en route from the port of Matankumu to Bolomba territory when tragedy struck. The boat, carrying approximately 500 passengers—including women and children—was overcrowded and made primarily of wood, a common but dangerous mode of river transport in the region.
Fire Triggered by Onboard Cooking
The deadly sequence of events began when a fire broke out onboard. Compétent Loyoko, the river commissioner, said the blaze started when a woman was cooking on the vessel. The fire quickly spread across the wooden boat, sparking panic.
Read More: Karachi mob kills member of Ahmadi minority
In the chaos, many passengers jumped into the river in an attempt to escape the flames. Tragically, several drowned, including women and children, as they were unable to swim. Others suffered severe burns as they remained trapped onboard.
Rescue Efforts and Rising Toll
About 100 survivors were rescued and taken to an improvised shelter at the local town hall. Those suffering from burn injuries were transported to nearby hospitals. Despite the immediate rescue response, officials warn that the death toll could rise as recovery operations continue.
The Red Cross and provincial authorities have joined local teams in the ongoing search for the missing. Senator Jean-Paul Boketsu Bofili reported that more than 150 survivors with third-degree burns remain without adequate humanitarian assistance.
Recurring Tragedies on Congo’s Waterways
This latest disaster highlights a grim pattern of deadly boat accidents in the DRC, where wooden vessels are often dangerously overcrowded and poorly maintained. In a country with limited infrastructure and few roads, rivers serve as lifelines for millions. However, lax enforcement of maritime regulations and frequent night-time travel contribute to the high casualty rates.
Boating disasters are not uncommon in the central African nation. In 2024 alone, 78 people drowned in Lake Kivu when a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized. Another 22 died in a separate riverboat incident in western Congo in December.
Read More: Over 170 arrested for attacks on Pakistan KFC outlets in Gaza war protests
Senator Bofili expressed outrage over the repeated tragedies, calling for urgent reforms. “Our magnificent Congo River and the lakes our country abounds in have become huge cemeteries for the Congolese people. This is unacceptable,” he said. Authorities have long struggled to implement safety measures, leaving passengers vulnerable on overcrowded and poorly regulated vessels. With many communities relying on river transport as their only link to the outside world, officials are under increasing pressure to introduce stricter controls and provide safer alternatives.