200 feared dead after boat sinks in Congo
Source: Agencies |
September 6, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
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AS many as 200 people are feared dead after a heavily loaded boat caught fire and capsized in southern Congo, a survivor said yesterday.
If confirmed, the incident would be the deadliest boat capsize reported in the Central African nation this year, and among the worst riverboat incidents in Africa this year.
Fabrice Muamba, who said he was on the boat when it caught fire on Saturday night on the Kasai River, said he thought only 15 people were able to swim to safety.
He said passengers began to jump overboard when the engine caught fire as it passed the remote village of Mbendayi, some 70 kilometers from the town of Tshikapa, which is north of Congo's border with Angola.
Muamba said the boat was also carrying many drums full of fuel on its journey through Kasai Occidental Province, but it was unclear how the fuel may have contributed to the fire.
Local official Francois Madila said police arrested two of the vessel's sailors and are investigating.
Madila said the sailors have not said how many people were aboard and that the passenger list appeared to have disappeared in the fire.
The boats that traverse Congo's rivers are often in poor repair and filled beyond capacity, with little regard for safety.
The industry is not well-regulated and boat operators are known to fill boats to dangerous levels.
Other officials and witnesses in the remote area could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Congo is a vast country of jungles and huge rivers in Central Africa with little more than 480 kilometers of paved road. Many people prefer to take boats.
If confirmed, the incident would be the deadliest boat capsize reported in the Central African nation this year, and among the worst riverboat incidents in Africa this year.
Fabrice Muamba, who said he was on the boat when it caught fire on Saturday night on the Kasai River, said he thought only 15 people were able to swim to safety.
He said passengers began to jump overboard when the engine caught fire as it passed the remote village of Mbendayi, some 70 kilometers from the town of Tshikapa, which is north of Congo's border with Angola.
Muamba said the boat was also carrying many drums full of fuel on its journey through Kasai Occidental Province, but it was unclear how the fuel may have contributed to the fire.
Local official Francois Madila said police arrested two of the vessel's sailors and are investigating.
Madila said the sailors have not said how many people were aboard and that the passenger list appeared to have disappeared in the fire.
The boats that traverse Congo's rivers are often in poor repair and filled beyond capacity, with little regard for safety.
The industry is not well-regulated and boat operators are known to fill boats to dangerous levels.
Other officials and witnesses in the remote area could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Congo is a vast country of jungles and huge rivers in Central Africa with little more than 480 kilometers of paved road. Many people prefer to take boats.
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