145 People Feared Dead As Boat Sinks In DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo authorities say at least 145 passengers are missing and feared dead after a motorized boat overloaded with goods and animals sank at night on a river in northwestern Congo.

Report says about 55 people survived the disaster.

The president of civil society groups, Jean Wangela said that at least 145 people were missing.

He blamed overloading for the boat’s demise but said that locals have few other options.

“There are no other means of transport currently in our province and here in the territory of Basankusu,” he said.

Meanwhile, the boat had been traveling to neighboring Republic of Congo when it capsized at the Lulonga River near the town of Basankusu.

Report says Boat sinkings causing dozens of fatalities are all too common in remote parts of Congo, where travel by road is at times impossible.

In October, more than 40 people died on the Congo River in Equateur province under similar circumstances.

AP/Christopher Ojilere