148 Killed In DR Congo Boat Fire Tragedy On Congo River

Tragedy on the Congo River: 148 Feared Dead After Boat Fire

At least 148 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating boat fire and capsizing incident on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The wooden motorized boat, carrying an estimated 500 passengers, caught fire near Mbandaka after departing from Matankumu port, heading toward Bolomba territory in the country’s northwest.

Overcrowding and Unsafe Conditions: A Common Crisis in Congo

According to LMSINT MEDIA, such boating tragedies are unfortunately common in the DR Congo, where overloaded wooden boats are often used for transport between rural communities. These boats typically operate with minimal safety regulations and are frequently packed far beyond their recommended capacity.

In this particular incident, hundreds are still reported missing, and many survivors are battling burn injuries.

What Sparked the Fire?

According to River Commissioner Compétent Loyoko, the fire broke out when a woman was cooking onboard, causing flames to spread rapidly across the wooden vessel. In a desperate attempt to escape the blaze, many passengers jumped into the river, but tragically, several of them could not swim and drowned.

Survivors and Emergency Response

Roughly 100 survivors were rescued and transported to a makeshift shelter at the local town hall in Mbandaka. Victims with serious burns were taken to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.

This incident is reminiscent of the 2024 Lake Kivu tragedy, where 78 people drowned after an overloaded boat capsized with 278 passengers onboard.

Read about the 2024 Lake Kivu boat tragedy here

A National Call for Better Maritime Safety

This tragic loss of life emphasizes the urgent need for improved safety standards in water transportation across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Congo, where such disasters have become far too frequent.

External experts have also raised concerns. According to a 2023 report from Human Rights Watch, outdated transport systems and lack of regulation contribute heavily to transportation-related deaths in Congo.
Read the full HRW report

148 confirmed dead after boat catches fire on the Congo River.
Over 500 passengers were onboard the wooden vessel.
Cause of fire: Open cooking flame onboard.
Survivors report lack of life jackets or safety procedures.
Overcrowding and poor regulation remain major issues in Congolese river transport.
This follows similar tragedies in recent years like the 2024 Lake Kivu boat capsizing.

This heart-wrenching accident on the Congo River shines a stark light on the dangers of unsafe, overloaded vessels in DR Congo and the need for immediate governmental and international intervention. Until safer maritime practices are adopted and enforced, communities relying on river transport remain vulnerable to avoidable tragedies.