148 people die after boat catches fire in Congo

500 passengers

According to Reuters, the boat was carrying as many as 500 passengers, including women and children, when it overturned in the Congo River located in the country’s northwest region.

Boating accidents are common in Congo, where old, wooden vessels are the main form of transport between villages and are often loaded far beyond capacity.

100 survivors

About 100 survivors were taken to an improvised shelter at the local town hall, while those with burn injuries were taken to local hospitals, Sky News reported.

The incident occurred when a fire started as a woman was cooking on board the vessel, Compétent Loyoko, the river commissioner, told the Associated Press.