Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo:
At least 148 people are confirmed dead and hundreds more remain missing following an incident on the Congo River earlier this week when an overcrowded passenger boat caught fire and sank, marking one of the country’s worst maritime disasters ever witnessed in modern history.
Accident officials believe the incident took place Tuesday night near Mbandaka in northwestern Equateur province. Reportedly overloaded with passengers and cargo, an overloaded vessel caught fire mid journey, leading to panic on board as people attempted to escape by jumping into nearby rivers in order to escape its flames.
Local authorities indicate the wooden boat was traveling between Kinshasa and Kisangani – an often-traveled route used for both passengers and goods – at the time of its incident, carrying approximately 300 people onboard at one point (exact numbers remain difficult to ascertain due to no formal passenger manifest).
Emergency response efforts began Wednesday morning, led by the Congolese Red Cross and local fishermen, with over 70 survivors being rescued from the river and being treated for shock or exhaustion. So far 148 bodies have been discovered from its banks; most were severely burned beyond recognition.
“Our hearts are broken by this national tragedy,” stated Congolese Minister of Transport Marc Ekila. He offered his deepest condolences to families of victims while also promising that an investigation will take place to ascertain its cause and determine those responsible.
Initial reports suggest the fire may have been started by faulty fuel containers or cooking equipment – both of which are common on riverboats in this region. Eyewitnesses described hearing an audible explosion before flames rapidly consumed the wooden structure.
President Felix Tshisekedi has declared three days of national mourning and promised tighter enforcement of river transport regulations, which have long been criticized as lax or poorly enforced.
Accidents at sea occur frequently in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to overloaded boats, poor maintenance practices and limited safety measures such as life jackets or emergency plans. Human rights groups have advocated for reforms to safeguard passengers who use these vital but hazardous waterways.
As search efforts continue, grieving families await news of any missing loved ones – while praying for any survivors. Our nation mourns.
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