A horrific boat fire on the Congo River has claimed the lives of more than 140 people, with dozens still unaccounted for, following one of the worst river transport disasters in the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent years.
The tragedy occurred earlier this week when a heavily loaded wooden vessel, carrying hundreds of passengers, caught fire and capsized near the city of Mbandaka. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and desperation as flames engulfed the boat and passengers leapt into the water to escape the inferno.
Survivors reported that the fire started from onboard cooking activity, which quickly spread through the wooden structure of the vessel. With limited safety equipment and many passengers unable to swim, the situation rapidly turned fatal.
Rescue teams have managed to save around 150 people, many of whom suffered severe burns or injuries during the panic. Emergency services and humanitarian workers are continuing efforts to locate the missing, though hopes are fading as days pass.
This incident casts a grim spotlight on the ongoing risks associated with river travel in the country. Overcrowding, lack of regulation, and the absence of basic safety measures continue to plague water transport, particularly in remote regions where river routes are often the only viable means of travel.
Government officials have expressed condolences and promised to investigate the cause of the disaster.
