Goma [Congo], April 20: At least 143 people have died in a boat accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Local authorities and police initially reported 50 deaths, but the number of victims rose sharply by Saturday. The accident occurred on Tuesday on the Congo River. According to consistent reports in local media, the vessel, which was carrying around 400 people, caught fire and capsized near the city of Mbandaka.
Cooking on board is believed to have started the fire. Fuel stored in the immediate vicinity is thought to have ignited and exploded. Fatal shipping accidents occur repeatedly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The reasons are the often severely overcrowded boats and inadequate safety checks.
River transport is very important for people in the country.
Source: Qatar Tribune
