The number of people who died after a motorized wooden boat caught fire and capsized in the Congo river in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo has increased to 148, officials announced on Friday.
The number of deaths of the accident that took place on Tuesday Previously, there were fears that the number would have increased since the boat has wrapped some 500 passengers, according to an official from the province of the equator.
The disaster started when a fire Started while a person was cooked on the ship, said Loyoko competent, the river commissioner.
What do we know about the Congo Boat disaster?
The fire broke out near the city of Mandaka in the equinable province, at the confluence of the Rivers of the Congo and Ruki.
The officials said that several passengers, including women and children, died after jumping in the water without being able to swim.
Some of these wounded were taken to neighboring hospitals, but many were still waiting for the news of their relatives, according to Joseph Lokondo, a local civil society chief.
“A first group of 131 bodies was found on Wednesday, with 12 other sins Thursday and Friday. Several of them are charred,” said Joséphine-Pacifie Lokumu, head of a delegation of national deputies from the region to the media.
Certain images and videos shared on social networks have shown a long boat with flames and smoke coming, while people on smaller ships looked at it.
According to reports, local Red Cross teams were on site to help local authorities make rescue efforts.
Boat accidents are not uncommon in Dr Congo
Dr. Congo has no reliable road or air system that connects its vast land. This makes people more practical for traveling on boats through lakes and the Congo river.
Boat accidents are common in the region. In 2019, a shipwreck on Lake Kivu killed around 100 people.
Published by: Roshni Majumdar
