Democratic Congo fears 145 fatality as boat capsized

At least 145 people were feared dead after a boat sank in a river in north-western part of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

About 55 passengers survived the incident happened on Tuesday, an official of the country told the media.

The DRC officials believe that the boat sank due to overloading of passengers, goods and animals.

The boat capsized on the Lulonga River on late Tuesday in the town of Basankusu while its route to the neighboring Republic of Congo, reports late Associated Press (AP).

Jean-Pierre Wangela, president of civil society groups in the area, told journalists that at least 145 people were missing. However, he claimed that locals have no other option of transportation currently in the territory of Basankusu except boat.

In October last year, over 40 people died on the Congo River in Equateur province under similar circumstances.

According to AP, Boat sinkings causing dozens of fatalities are all too common in remote parts of Congo, where travel by road is at times impossible. Many watercraft are overloaded with goods and people who don‍‍`t know how to swim. Rescue operations are extremely limited in remote parts of the country.