At Least 50 Dead After Boat Fire in Northwest DRC, Hundreds Still Missing

At Least 50 Dead After Boat Catches Fire in Northwest DRC, Hundreds Missing

Overcrowded Vessel Catches Fire on Congo River, Sparking Tragedy in Mbandaka Region

At least 50 people have died and hundreds remain missing after a passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday night on the Congo River near Mbandaka, in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), local officials have confirmed.

The wooden motorised boat, named HB Kongolo, was carrying approximately 400 passengers when the blaze broke out, reportedly caused by an onboard cooking accident. Initial reports say a woman was cooking when the fire started, rapidly engulfing the vessel and forcing passengers to flee into the river, many of them unable to swim.

Rescue Efforts Under Way

Dozens of survivors, many with severe burn injuries, were rescued and transported to local hospitals or taken to an improvised shelter at Mbandaka’s town hall, according to Compétent Loyoko, the region’s river commissioner.

“Several passengers, including women and children, died after jumping into the water,” said Loyoko. “They couldn’t swim.”

Search and rescue operations, supported by the Red Cross and provincial authorities, are ongoing. The number of confirmed casualties is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered from the river and surrounding areas.

Dangerous Conditions on DRC Waterways

Boat accidents are tragically common in the DRC, a country where waterways like the Congo River serve as vital arteries of transportation for over 100 million people, particularly in remote regions where roads are scarce or non-existent.

Authorities have long struggled to enforce maritime safety regulations, and night travel, combined with severe overcrowding and a lack of life-saving equipment, has contributed to a series of deadly accidents in recent years.

The HB Kongolo had reportedly departed from the port of Matankumu, en route to Bolomba territory, before the fire struck. According to survivors, the vessel was packed with people and cargo, with little oversight or safety precautions in place.

Repeated Warnings Ignored

Despite previous disasters, enforcement of passenger limits, safety inspections, and fire prevention measures on boats remains minimal. While local officials have promised stricter oversight, implementation has been hampered by limited resources, corruption, and lack of infrastructure.

The latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for investment in transport safety and public education on emergency preparedness.

A Recurring National Tragedy

In recent years, hundreds have died in boat accidents across the DRC. Overloaded vessels, unsafe construction, and inadequate regulation have made such incidents almost routine. Civil society groups and international humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for reforms, but systemic changes remain elusive.

This incident is yet another reminder of the dangers many Congolese face simply while traveling — a reality that highlights the broader infrastructure crisis in the region.

Stay with The Horizons Times for updates on this developing story and continued coverage of humanitarian and infrastructure challenges across Africa.