At least 42 passengers have drowned when a boat struck a rock and sank in the Ubangi river in the Democratic Republic of Congo, government officials say, reports internet source.

Rescue workers saved at least 22 passengers, but 115 more were reported missing on Friday.
 
The river runs along DR Congo's northern border with the Central African Republic.
 
The barge was travelling on a remote stretch of the waterway and was carrying 182 passengers from both countries.
 
Felix Ibula, a government spokesman, said: "We don't know at this time if some passengers, in addition to the 22 survivors, were able to save themselves."
 
Boats frequently sink in DR Congo's network of lakes and rivers, often due to overloading. The country's waterways are also poorly surveyed, increasing the risk of accidents.
 
Most vessels do not comply with the basic safety requirements, lack proper navigation and emergency equipment such as life jackets, and have inadequate lighting.

Comments

Add New

Write comment
Name:
Email:	We don't publish your mail. See privacy policy.
Title:
	Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.