Rescue teams are currently in the process of searching for 167 individuals who remain unaccounted for following the capsizing of a boat in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, according to official sources.

The incident in the Congo River resulted in the recovery of more than 40 deceased individuals, while 189 survivors were successfully rescued.

It has been reported that the boat was carrying an excess of 300 passengers and cargo, as revealed by a civil society group actively participating in the rescue and recovery mission.

Boats serve as a prevalent means of transportation in the DR Congo, primarily due to the limited availability of roads. Nonetheless, boat accidents are all too common, mainly due to issues such as overloading, inadequate maintenance, and nighttime travel. Additionally, a significant number of passengers neglect to wear life jackets.

Authorities have noted that the boat was operating during nighttime hours, in violation of safety regulations.

Prominent DR Congo opposition leader and presidential candidate in December's election, Moise Katumbi, said he was saddened by "this tragedy".

He said it was a "direct consequence" of the government "which tolerates the overnight navigation of dilapidated and overloaded boats".

UN-linked Radio Okapi reports that the provincial government of Equateur, where the accident happened, said it would provide psychological support for children who were injured in the accident and lost their parents.

The radio station said that more than 40 bodies had been so far recovered but the local civil society organization, Conscious Generation, said that the number was 50.

A survivor told Radio Okapi that the boat, which had left the city of Mbandaka for the Bolomba area in the north-western Equateur province, stalled and lost balance due to overcrowding.

While the crew attempted to rebalance the boat, it overturned with the passengers and cargo before sinking, the survivor added.

On Sunday, the vice-governor of Equateur province provided body bags and coffins for the burials of some of the victims.

So bad

Too bad