Overview

• The disaster occurred Tuesday when a cooking fire ignited stored fuel, causing an explosion that capsized the overcrowded vessel on the Congo River.
• Death toll estimates range from 33, reported by Mbandaka's mayor, to 148, according to Equateur province officials and other sources.
• Approximately 195 survivors, including 22 with severe burns, are being treated in hospitals or housed in improvised shelters.
• Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, but the likelihood of finding additional survivors is slim, according to humanitarian workers.
• The incident highlights systemic issues in DR Congo’s river transport, including overcrowding, poor safety regulations, and lack of infrastructure.