Audio By Carbonatix
Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo say more than 60 people have drowned after a barge capsized and sank on the Congo River.
Three-hundred people have been rescued but possibly 200 others are unaccounted for following the accident.
Locals said the boat hit a rock east of the capital, Kinshasa while travelling at night, which is forbidden.
The Congolese minister for humanitarian affairs, Steve Mbikayi, called for those responsible for the boat to be charged.
"An overloaded whaler, sailing at night with more than 700 passengers was wrecked in Mai-Ndombe! 60 bodies already found with 300 survivors! We sympathize with the bereaved families and demand the sanctions against all those responsible for the transport sector," he wrote on Twitter.
There are few roads in the country and much of the freight and passenger traffic is on the river.
Latest Stories
-
Gov’t introduces sliding-scale mining royalties to capture price gains
47 seconds -
Global Africa Summit Accra 2025 rallies investors, diaspora and policymakers to boost trade and growth
3 minutes -
New research suggests a better way to fight littering in Ghana
3 minutes -
We must protect our own – Adutwum spokesperson calls for Ashanti solidarity
26 minutes -
FDA shuts down 7 Foreign shops in Kumasi over unapproved, foreign-labelled products
34 minutes -
13 arrested as Central East Police crack down on crime in Senya Beraku enclave
40 minutes -
Kumasi residents raise alarm over poor street lighting ahead of Christmas
1 hour -
Police swoop in Kintampo nabs 13 in drug bust, seizes cannabis and tramadol
1 hour -
Activist urges stronger border security, environmental protection, and accountability
1 hour -
Let’s be more intentional about our unity than they were about our division – Mahama to diaspora
2 hours -
Former Jasikan MCE quits as Bryan Acheampong’s coordinator; declares support for Bawumia
2 hours -
2025 Diaspora Summit: Ablakwa calls for concrete action on reparations
2 hours -
Police crack down on drug trafficking in Tamale, arrest 4 and seize illicit substances
2 hours -
Egg-citing deals as The Multimedia Group’s X’mas Egg Market sells out on Day 1, returns tomorrow
3 hours -
NPP Primaries: Electoral Area Coordinators in Yunyoo, Chereponi and Saboba declare support for Bawumia
3 hours