Tragedy on the Congo River / Boat catches fire and sinks, 50 dead and hundreds missing

A boat has capsized after catching fire in northwestern Congo, leaving at least 50 people dead and hundreds missing, a local official said on Wednesday.

Dozens of people were rescued after the accident on the Congo River late Tuesday evening, many of them with severe burns. The search for the missing was underway on Wednesday by rescue teams supported by the Red Cross and provincial authorities.

The wooden motorboat carrying about 400 passengers caught fire near the town of Mbandaka, river commissioner Compétent Loyoko told The Associated Press. The boat, the HB Kongolo, was sailing from the port of Matankumu to Bolomba territory.

About 100 survivors were taken to a makeshift shelter in Mbandaka municipality. Those with burn injuries were taken to local hospitals.

The incident began while a woman was cooking on board, Loyoko said. Several passengers, including women and children, died after being thrown into the water without being able to swim.

Deadly boat accidents are common in the Central African country, where late-night trips and overcrowded vessels are often blamed. Authorities have struggled to enforce maritime regulations.