A devastating boat accident has claimed the lives of at least 148 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to multiple media reports and local officials.
The fatal incident took place on Tuesday, April 15, along the Congo River in the northwestern region of the country, near the town of Mbandaka. The motorized wooden vessel—named HB Kongolo—was reportedly carrying close to 500 passengers, including women and children, when it caught fire and capsized.
Initial reports had estimated 50 casualties, but by Friday, officials confirmed a significantly higher death toll, with hundreds still missing. Only around 100 survivors have been rescued and taken to shelters and hospitals in the area.
The fire started when a woman was cooking onboard,” said Compétent Loyoko, the local river commissioner, highlighting a tragic but common practice on overcrowded boats in the region.
Many of the victims died either from the fire or drowned while trying to escape, unable to swim. This horrific accident mirrors a broader crisis in the country’s riverine transport system, where outdated and overloaded boats are often the only means of travel between remote communities.
Boating disasters are sadly frequent in the DR Congo, where enforcement of maritime safety regulations remains lax. In 2024 alone, the country witnessed two major tragedies: one in Lake Kivu, where 78 people drowned, and another in December, which claimed 22 lives after another vessel capsized in western Congo.
Authorities continue search-and-rescue efforts as families wait for news about their missing loved ones.
