Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of Congo – The Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with a devastating boat tragedy that has claimed the lives of 148 people, with over 100 individuals still missing after a boat caught fire and capsized on the Congo River earlier this week. The incident, which occurred in the country’s north-west, involved a wooden vessel carrying about 500 passengers.
According to the river commissioner Compétent Loyoko, the catastrophe unfolded when a fire broke out as someone was cooking on the boat. As the flames spread, passengers, including women and children, leaped into the water, many unable to swim, and tragically perished. Although some individuals were rescued, those who survived suffered severe burns.
Efforts to locate the missing persons are ongoing, with rescue teams, along with support from the Red Cross and provincial authorities, working tirelessly to find survivors. The boat, known as HB Kongolo, was en route from the port of Matankumu to the Bolomba territory when the fire erupted near Mbandaka.
Senator Jean-Paul Boketsu Bofili expressed deep concern over the high death toll among the passengers on board, noting that more than 150 survivors are currently in dire need of humanitarian aid due to severe burns. The incident sheds light on the challenges facing Congo’s maritime sector, where boat accidents are all too common, often attributed to late-night voyages and overcrowded vessels.
The prevalence of deadly boat incidents underscores the difficulties authorities face in enforcing maritime regulations in the central African nation. With limited infrastructure in remote areas, Congo’s rivers serve as a vital transportation route for its vast population, leading to a reliance on wooden vessels despite the inherent risks.
As the search for missing persons continues, Bofili emphasized the need for improved safety measures to prevent future tragedies, lamenting the loss of lives in Congo’s waterways. The country’s water bodies, once symbols of connectivity, have now become somber resting places for countless Congolese, highlighting the urgent need for reforms to ensure the safety of passengers and crew alike.