A boat capsized after caught fire in the northwest part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), killing at least 50 people and hundreds missing, said a local official.
Dozens were saved after the accident on the Congo river late Tuesday evening, many of them were seriously burned.
A search for the missing is underway with the rescue teams supported by the Red Cross and the provincial authorities.
The motorized wooden boat with approximately 400 passengers caught fire near the city of Mbandaka, said the river commissioner.
The boat, HB Kongolo, had left the port of Matankumu for the territory of Bolomba.
A hundred survivors were taken to an improvised refuge at the town hall of Mandaka. Those who have burn injuries have been transported to local hospitals.
The fire would have broken out while a woman cook on board, said Loyoko.
Several passengers, including women and children, died after jumping in the water without being able to swim.
Boat accidents are common in the Central African country, where end of evening trips and overcrowded ships are often blamed.
Authorities found it difficult to apply maritime regulations.
RDC rivers are a major means of transport for more than 100 million people, especially in remote areas where infrastructure is mediocre or non -existent.
Hundreds have been killed in boats accidents in recent years while more and more people have abandoned the few roads available for wooden ships filled with passengers and their goods.
