Tragedy Strikes Congo: Over 148 Dead After River Boat Fire and Capsize

At least 148 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a motorized wooden boat, the HB Kongolo, caught fire and capsized on the Congo River earlier this week. The vessel had set off from the port of Matankumu, headed for the Bolomba territory, and was carrying around 500 passengers, with women and children among them.

This disaster unfolded near the town of Mbandaka. According to officials, the tragedy began when a fire broke out—apparently started by a woman cooking on board. As panic spread, many passengers jumped into the river, but tragically, several could not swim and drowned in the chaos.

Boating accidents are sadly nothing new in Congo, where old, wooden boats are often the primary—if not only—means of transportation between remote villages. These boats are frequently overloaded, a dangerous routine that has led to repeated disasters. In fact, officials estimate that hundreds remain missing from this most recent catastrophe, while about 100 survivors have been given temporary shelter at the local town hall or treated for burns in area hospitals.

The scale of this tragedy is particularly stark given that the initial death toll was reported to be just 50. Now, with at least 148 confirmed dead and the number still climbing, the heartbreak is only deepening for families waiting for news of loved ones.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event. Just this year, at least 78 people drowned when another boat capsized in Lake Kivu, and 22 more died in a separate river accident in December. The Congo River, the world’s deepest, continues to be unforgiving—especially when basic safety regulations are ignored and boats are pushed far beyond their limits.