A tragic boat accident on the Lukeni river in western Congo has resulted in the loss of at least 20 lives, with hundreds more unaccounted for.
The incident occurred over the weekend, marking yet another maritime disaster in the central African nation.
The overloaded wooden boat, carrying approximately 300 passengers, was navigating through the night when it collided with a sunken barge.
Kutu territory administrator Jacques Nzenza Mongie confirmed the death toll during a press conference on Tuesday, adding that at least 20 bodies had been recovered from the river.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with 46 survivors pulled from the water and hundreds still missing.
The authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, as navigating by night is prohibited in Congo.
Governor Lebon Nkoso Kevan of Maï-Ndombe province has announced the formation of a provincial commission to determine who is responsible for the tragedy.
Congolese officials have repeatedly warned against overloading boats and have vowed to take action against those who violate safety regulations.