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Fire on Overcrowded DRC Riverboat Kills at Least 143, Dozens Still Missing

A cooking fire ignited stored fuel on the HB Kongolo near Mbandaka, leaving survivors with severe burns and exposing systemic transport safety failures.

Un bateau a coulé en République démocratique du Congo et aurait fait au moins 148 morts.
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Overview

  • At least 143 people are confirmed dead after the HB Kongolo caught fire on April 18, 2025, with dozens still unaccounted for.
  • The fire was triggered when a cooking fire ignited stored fuel, causing an explosion that sank the overcrowded wooden vessel.
  • Survivors, many suffering from third-degree burns, are receiving inadequate humanitarian assistance in local hospitals and shelters.
  • Search and recovery efforts are ongoing, with 131 bodies recovered on Wednesday and 12 more found on Thursday and Friday.
  • The disaster highlights chronic safety issues in the DRC's river transport system, including overcrowding, poor maintenance, and lack of regulatory oversight.