Congo Boat Fire and Capsizing Leaves 148 Dead, Over 100 Missing in River Tragedy

Rescue efforts continue after the fire and sinking of a boat on the Congo River

The death toll from a devastating boat fire and capsizing incident on the Congo River earlier this week has climbed to 148, with over 100 individuals still unaccounted for, officials confirmed on Friday. The disaster occurred on Tuesday in the northwestern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, when a motorised wooden vessel, identified as HB Kongolo, caught fire and capsized with approximately 500 people onboard.

According to Compétent Loyoko, the regional river commissioner, the fire is believed to have been sparked by a cooking accident on board. The flames quickly engulfed the vessel, forcing passengers—many of whom could not swim—to leap into the river in panic. Several women and children were among the deceased.

The incident took place near the town of Mbandaka, shortly after the vessel had departed from the port of Matankumu en route to the Bolomba territory. Emergency rescue teams, supported by the Red Cross and local authorities, are continuing to search for survivors and recover bodies from the water.

While dozens of passengers were rescued, many sustained severe injuries, including third-degree burns. Senator Jean-Paul Boketsu Bofili reported that more than 150 survivors are currently without access to humanitarian aid or medical care.

Deadly boat accidents are tragically common in the Democratic Republic of Congo, largely due to the widespread use of overcrowded, poorly maintained wooden vessels. Enforcement of maritime safety regulations remains a significant challenge in the country, where rivers serve as critical transportation routes for millions of citizens in remote regions lacking proper infrastructure.

With over 100 million people relying on water transport across vast stretches of river and lake networks, the Congo River has seen repeated maritime disasters in recent years. These tragedies are often blamed on vessel overcapacity, lack of safety measures, and night-time travel in hazardous conditions.

“Our magnificent Congo River and the lakes our country abounds in have become huge cemeteries for the Congolese people. This is unacceptable,” said Senator Bofili, calling for urgent reform and support to improve water transportation safety and prevent further loss of life.