On January 26, a ferry traveling on the Congo River and carrying about 500 passengers caught fire. Witnesses say this boat was also overloaded when the fire broke out and many passengers jumped overboard to escape the flames. Some made it to shore and about 300 passengers have been rescued but, as of the most recent reports from this isolated area, the remaining 200 are not yet accounted for. Local residents have said that they have seen floating bodies, confirming that at least some of the 200 missing people did not make it safely to shore.

Early reports are saying that a fire erupted in the engine room and spread to the fuel tanks.

The Congo River forms much of the border between DRC and Congo (a separate country despite the similar name) and is a vital transportation link. Roadways in DRC are primitive at best and often non-existent.

This tragedy comes on the heels of an incident earlier in January where a ferry on Lake Albert was boarded by armed militia and at least 100 passengers were executed. Others, mainly women and children, were taken hostage and their whereabouts are presently unknown.

While DRC’s present transitional government considers improvements in transportation to be a primary project, little has been done due to constant jockeying for position among the various members of the government