tragic boat accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed the lives of at least 148 people, according to reports from local officials on Friday. The incident took place on Tuesday, and it has caused widespread sorrow across the country.

The motorized wooden boat, which was carrying around 500 passengers, including women and children, overturned in the Congo River in the country’s northwest region. The boat caught fire and capsized, leaving many victims trapped and unable to escape.

Boating accidents are a frequent occurrence in Congo, where old wooden boats are commonly used for transport between villages. These vessels are often overloaded, which makes them prone to disasters. Such accidents have been reported for centuries.

Local officials estimate that hundreds are still missing, with the death toll initially reported to be 50. However, it has since risen to 148. The boat, named HB Kongolo, had been traveling near Mbandaka, having departed from the Matankumu port on its way to the Bolomba territory.

About 100 survivors were rescued and taken to a local shelter. Many of those who were injured, particularly those with burn wounds, were rushed to nearby hospitals. Local reports indicate that the fire started when a woman was cooking on the boat.

Tragically, several passengers, especially women and children, died after jumping into the river, unable to swim.

In a similar incident earlier this year, at least 78 people drowned when a boat with 278 passengers capsized in Lake Kivu, eastern Congo. Additionally, 22 lives were lost in a separate river boat sinking in December in western Congo.