A tragic boat disaster in the Democratic Republic of Congo has left at least 148 people dead and over 100 still missing, following a fire and capsizing incident on the Congo River earlier this week. The vessel, a motorised wooden boat carrying around 500 passengers, was engulfed in flames and capsized near the town of Mbandaka in the country’s northwest.
The incident reportedly began when a fire broke out on board, allegedly caused by someone cooking. In the chaos that ensued, many passengers, including women and children, panicked and jumped into the river. Sadly, numerous individuals were unable to swim and drowned in the strong currents. Survivors described scenes of desperation and confusion as the flames spread rapidly across the wooden structure of the boat.
Rescue operations have been ongoing, with teams supported by local authorities and the Red Cross working to recover bodies and search for those still unaccounted for. Dozens of survivors were pulled from the river, many suffering from severe burns. Medical resources in the area have been overwhelmed, with reports indicating that more than 150 burn victims are currently without sufficient humanitarian aid.
The boat, named HB Kongolo, had departed from the port of Matankumu en route to Bolomba territory. Like many other vessels in the country, it was heavily overcrowded—a common feature of river transport in Congo due to the lack of alternative infrastructure. The incident has once again brought to light the persistent dangers of river travel in the region.
Deadly boat accidents are an all-too-common occurrence in Congo, where the vast network of rivers serves as the primary mode of transportation for many of the country’s more than 100 million people. Remote areas are often inaccessible by road, leaving riverboats as the only viable means of travel. However, the industry is poorly regulated, with vessels often operating beyond their intended capacity and lacking basic safety measures.
Travel at night further compounds the risks, as poor visibility and inadequate navigation tools increase the chances of accidents. Despite past tragedies, efforts to enforce maritime laws and improve safety standards have made little progress. Corruption, lack of funding, and insufficient oversight contribute to the continued operation of unsafe vessels.
The latest disaster has sparked renewed outrage and calls for reform. Speaking out against the conditions that led to the tragedy, a national senator described Congo’s rivers and lakes as having become “huge cemeteries” for its people. The emotional statement captured the frustration felt by many Congolese who rely on these water routes but face constant danger in doing so.
Calls for immediate humanitarian assistance are growing, especially for the survivors suffering from third-degree burns who are yet to receive proper medical attention. Local hospitals are under-resourced and ill-equipped to handle mass casualty events of this magnitude, making the need for national and international aid urgent.
As the search for the missing continues, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by many in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Until stronger maritime enforcement and investment in transport infrastructure are realised, such tragedies may sadly remain a recurring part of life along the Congo River.
