Kinshasa, April 19, 2025: At least 148 people have died after a wooden motorized boat caught fire and capsized on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this week, according to local media reports citing government officials.
The vessel, reportedly carrying around 500 passengers—including women and children—overturned near the town of Mbandaka in the country’s northwestern region on Tuesday. The death toll, initially estimated at 50, has now risen sharply, with authorities warning that hundreds may still be missing.
The ill-fated boat, named HB Kongolo, had departed from the port of Matankumu en route to Bolomba territory when the fire broke out on board.
According to river commissioner Compétent Loyoko, the fire is believed to have started when a woman began cooking on board, a common but hazardous practice on such vessels. Panic ensued, and many passengers jumped into the river—several of them drowning due to an inability to swim.
Around 100 survivors were rescued and taken to an improvised shelter at the local town hall. Those with burn injuries were transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment, Sky News reported.
Boating accidents are tragically frequent in the DRC, where outdated wooden boats serve as the primary means of transportation across rivers and lakes. These vessels are often overloaded and lack basic safety measures such as life jackets or reliable emergency equipment.
In recent years, Congo has witnessed multiple maritime tragedies. In 2024, at least 78 people died when an overcrowded boat carrying 278 passengers capsized in Lake Kivu. Another 22 people died in December the same year when a riverboat sank in western Congo.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the latest disaster and are continuing search-and-rescue efforts amid fears that the final death toll may rise further.
