At least 107 people were killed on Thursday evening in western Democratic Republic of Congo after a fire broke out on an overcrowded whale-fishing boat traveling along the Congo River, near the village of Malanga in the Lokolila area.
According to an official report, the narrow open vessel was carrying a large number of passengers, and the blaze left 146 people missing.
Rescue teams managed to recover 209 survivors, including several injured, after the vessel was consumed by flames and carried downstream. The fire also spread to the cargo on board and ignited 15 houses along the riverbanks.
Search operations continue with the help of navy personnel and local volunteers, while authorities pledged medical care for the injured and repatriation of survivors to their home villages.
