Congo River Boat Fire Kills 107, Dozens Missing, Students Among Dead

At least 107 people have died after a whaleboat caught fire on the Congo River near Malange village in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 146 people still missing and 209 survivors rescued, many injured. The fire also destroyed cargo and ignited 15 riverside homes, prompting ongoing search operations by naval personnel and volunteers, alongside promises of medical care and support for affected families. This tragedy follows another recent boat accident in Basankusu territory where at least 86 people, mostly students, died when a motorized canoe sank due to overloading and nighttime navigation, which is prohibited. River transport is vital in Congo's vast rainforest regions, but accidents are frequent due to overloading, poor maintenance, and navigation at night. Rescue efforts are often hindered by limited resources and the remote locations of these accidents. Authorities continue to investigate and respond to these repeated riverboat disasters that have claimed many lives.