As a result of a volcanic eruption on a boat on the Congo River, located in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, at least 143 people were killed, and dozens of others have been reported missing, officials said on Friday.
Local deputy Josephin-Pacific Lukomo told France Press: "In total, we found the first group of 131 bodies, and another 12 bodies were also recovered on Thursday and Friday." The leader of the local civilian society, Joseph Lukondo, stated: "Preliminary figures indicate that 145 people were victims."
According to him, the fire on the wooden boat with an engine, which transported fuel, began on Tuesday near the village of Mbafranka, the provincial capital of Ecuador. The deputy noted that "the woman ignited the fire for cooking, and the fuel nearby exploded, which led to the death of many women and children."
She added that the exact number of passengers on the boat is unknown, but it is estimated to be in the "hundreds." By Friday, "many families have not had information about their relatives," according to Lukondo, who was present at the site of the victims. According to his data, those who survived were taken to the hospital.