58 killed after boat capsizes in Central Africa

At least 58 people have died after an overloaded boat capsized in the Central African Republic's capital, Bangui.

They were on their way to attend a funeral, reports ndtv.

According to witnesses and videos on social media, the wooden boat was carrying more than 300 people -- some standing and others perched on wooden structures -- when it sank on the Mpoko river on Friday.

The vessel was heading to the funeral of a village chief in Makolo, some 45 kilometres (28 miles) from Bangui, but got into difficulty shortly after setting off from the pier.

Rescue services arrived 40 minutes after the disaster.

The government did not respond on Saturday but in a speech recorded on Friday and broadcast a day later, government spokesman Maxime Balalou had reported a "provisional toll of at least 30 dead".

The government sent its condolences to the bereaved families, he said, announcing the opening of an investigation and the setting up of a support system for families of the victims._Agencies.