DR Congo: At Least 143 Dead in Boat Fire on Congo River

Edition : Widad WAHBI

A tragic fire aboard a riverboat on the Congo River in the northwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has claimed the lives of at least 143 people, with dozens more reported missing, according to official sources on Friday.

Joséphine-Pacifique Lokumu, a national MP, confirmed that 131 bodies were recovered on Wednesday, with an additional 12 recovered on Thursday and Friday. The death toll remains provisional, as rescue operations continue.

A local civil society leader, Joseph Lokondo, indicated that the total number of fatalities could be as high as 145, with victims either burned in the fire or drowned in the river while attempting to escape.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed, and authorities have yet to provide full details about the circumstances surrounding the disaster.

The Congo River, a vital transport artery in the DRC, has seen numerous maritime accidents over the years, often due to overloaded vessels, poor safety measures, and a lack of proper oversight.