editor
A late-night tragedy on the Congo River has left at least 50 people dead and hundreds more missing after a crowded passenger boat caught fire and capsized, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The vessel, believed to be carrying more than 400 passengers, was making its way from Matankumu to Bolomba, a route often taken by locals moving between river communities in the remote northwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The fire broke out Tuesday night, causing panic on board as passengers rushed to escape.
Local officials said the blaze may have started when a passenger lit a fire to cook food—an all-too-common practice on wooden riverboats despite known risks. Once the flames caught hold, the boat quickly lost control. Many onboard jumped into the river in an attempt to flee the smoke and fire, but without life jackets or swimming skills, many never made it to shore.
“It was chaos. People were shouting, some jumped in with their children,” said Compétent Loyoko, a river transport official who is coordinating the emergency response. “Unfortunately, some who jumped were unable to swim.”
Rescue teams, including volunteers, Red Cross workers, and provincial authorities, have been combing the river for survivors since early Wednesday morning. So far, about 100 people have been rescued and are receiving care. Some were treated for burns, others for shock or injuries sustained while escaping the wreckage.
Also Read; China Open to Talks If Trump Shows Respect
Many survivors are being housed temporarily at Mbandaka town hall, where aid workers are offering food, blankets, and emotional support. Still, the atmosphere is heavy as families await news about their loved ones.
In the DRC, boat accidents are heartbreakingly frequent. River transport is a lifeline in many parts of the country where road access is poor or nonexistent. But years of underinvestment in safety, poor regulation, and chronic overcrowding have left people vulnerable to exactly this kind of disaster.
Local officials have vowed to investigate what went wrong and to tighten enforcement of basic safety measures like passenger limits and onboard cooking bans. However, many citizens remain skeptical, saying similar promises have been made after past tragedies—with little lasting change.
