At least 50 people have been confirmed dead after a boat caught fire and capsized in northwestern Congo on Tuesday night. The incident occurred on the Congo River near Mbandaka, a town in the country’s northwestern region. Hundreds more are still missing, and rescue operations are ongoing.
The boat, named HB Kongolo, was carrying approximately 400 passengers when the fire broke out. Local authorities, including river commissioner Compétent Loyoko, said the fire started while a woman was cooking aboard the motorized wooden vessel. Many passengers, including women and children, attempted to jump into the river, some unable to swim and perishing in the water.
Survivors, some with severe burn injuries, were taken to nearby shelters, including an improvised emergency center at the Mbandaka town hall. Local hospitals are treating those injured.
The boat had departed from the Matankumu port and was headed for the Bolomba territory. The Congo Red Cross and provincial authorities are supporting search efforts, but the death toll is expected to rise as the search for the missing continues.
Boat accidents are tragically common in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where overcrowded and poorly maintained vessels, along with the dangers of nighttime travel, frequently contribute to disasters. The country’s rivers remain a vital mode of transportation for millions, especially in remote areas lacking proper infrastructure, but enforcement of maritime safety regulations remains a significant challenge.