A terrible accident happened when a wooden boat caught fire on the Congo River. About 148 people died after the boat flipped over on Tuesday. The vessel carried nearly 500 passengers before it capsized. Many women with children traveled on this boat. Transport accidents occur often in Congo because old wooden boats move people between villages.
Many passengers remain missing days after the disaster. The boat named HB Kongolo started burning near Mbandaka town during its journey to Bolomba. Around 100 people survived the accident. Officials took hurt survivors to local hospitals for burn treatment. Other survivors stayed at the town hall building.
River official Competent Loyoko explained that a cooking fire caused the tragedy. Several people jumped into the water in panic. Those who couldn't swim drowned immediately. This disaster follows another recent accident. Last year, 78 people died when another boat flipped over in Lake Kivu. That boat carried 278 passengers when it sank in eastern Congo.
Many passengers remain missing days after the disaster. The boat named HB Kongolo started burning near Mbandaka town during its journey to Bolomba. Around 100 people survived the accident. Officials took hurt survivors to local hospitals for burn treatment. Other survivors stayed at the town hall building.
River official Competent Loyoko explained that a cooking fire caused the tragedy. Several people jumped into the water in panic. Those who couldn't swim drowned immediately. This disaster follows another recent accident. Last year, 78 people died when another boat flipped over in Lake Kivu. That boat carried 278 passengers when it sank in eastern Congo.
