148 dead as boat catches fire in Congo

At least 148 people have died and hundreds are feared missing after a passenger boat caught fire and sank in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The incident reportedly took place on Tuesday when a fire broke out on board as a woman was cooking food on the wooden boat.

The vessel was carrying around 500 passengers including women and children.

The international media reported that the ill-fated vessel, identified as HB Kongolo, had departed from the port of Matankumu en route to the Bolomba region when the tragedy occurred. 

As the fire spread rapidly, the boat capsized and sank in the Congo River which resulted in a major loss of life.

The rescue efforts led to the survival of at least 100 people while search operations for the missing are ongoing. Many of the injured are receiving medical treatment at the local facilities.

Source: Agencies