Congo River Boat Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 148, Over 100 Still Missing After Fire and Capsizing

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

The death toll from the tragic boat disaster on the Congo River has climbed to 148, with over 100 passengers still unaccounted for, officials confirmed on Friday. The incident occurred earlier this week when a wooden passenger vessel caught fire and capsized near Mbandaka, in the northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

According to Compétent Loyoko, river commissioner overseeing the region, the fire was reportedly sparked by onboard cooking, a common yet dangerous practice. The vessel, identified as HB Kongolo, had departed from Matankumu port, heading toward Bolomba territory, carrying an estimated 500 passengers.

As flames spread rapidly, panic gripped the vessel. Many passengers, including women and children, leapt into the water to escape the blaze—dozens drowned, unable to swim.

Search and Rescue Efforts Continue

Emergency response teams, supported by the Red Cross and local authorities, are still searching for missing persons. The scale of the disaster has placed a spotlight on long-standing issues of maritime safety in the DRC.

Deadly boat accidents are frequent in the country, where overcrowded wooden vessels, poor enforcement of safety regulations, and night-time navigation are widespread. With limited road infrastructure, rivers remain a primary mode of transportation for the DRC’s population of over 100 million.

Government Under Pressure to Act

This latest catastrophe has reignited calls for the Congolese government to enforce stricter maritime regulations and invest in safer transportation alternatives. Advocates are urging authorities to crack down on unsafe practices and equip rescue teams with better tools to respond to such emergencies.