At least 50 people have died and hundreds remain missing after a boat caught fire and capsized on the Congo River near Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Local officials say the wooden motorboat, carrying around 400 passengers, caught fire late Tuesday night while en route from Matankumu to Bolomba territory. The blaze reportedly began when someone was cooking on board.
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Many passengers, including women and children, drowned after jumping into the river, unable to swim. About 100 survivors, some with severe burns, are being treated at a temporary shelter in Mbandaka.
Deadly boat accidents are frequent in the DRC, where poor infrastructure and overcrowded vessels contribute to maritime tragedies. Rescue operations, supported by the Red Cross and local authorities, are ongoing.
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