Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
On April 15, 2025, a crowded wooden boat named HB Kongolo caught fire and capsized on the Congo River near Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Congo River boat fire and capsizing occurred during a night journey from Matankumu port to Bolomba territory, with as many as 500 people onboard. The fire reportedly began when a woman was cooking on board—a common but dangerous practice on local boats.
Panic followed. Many passengers, including women and children, jumped into the river but drowned because they couldn’t swim.
Takeaway: A small spark turned into a mass-casualty disaster—one that wasn’t just avoidable, but predictable.
Death Toll Rises, Rescue Lags Behind
By April 18, the death toll had reached at least 148, with over 100 people still missing.
Roughly 100 survivors were rescued—many with serious burns—and taken to nearby hospitals or a temporary shelter at Mbandaka’s town hall.
Rescue efforts have been slow and limited. Teams from the Red Cross and local authorities are on the ground, but resources are stretched thin. Most boats in the region lack safety equipment, radios, or even trained personnel.
Takeaway: Survivors made it out, but the odds were stacked against them—and rescue crews are overwhelmed.
Why This Keeps Happening
The Congo River boat fire and capsizing is not a rare incident in the DRC. Deadly boat accidents happen frequently because of:
- Severe overcrowding
- Lack of regulations or enforcement
- Poorly maintained vessels
- Routine nighttime travel on unlit rivers
- No access to basic safety gear like life jackets
In 2024, 78 people died in a Lake Kivu boat disaster, and 38 more perished on the Busira River in December.
Takeaway: For many in Congo, rivers are the only route. But that shouldn’t mean risking your life.
Officials Speak Out, but Change Is Slow
Senator Jean-Paul Boketsu Bofili called the Congo River a “huge cemetery” and labeled the repeated boat disasters “unacceptable.”
The government has pledged to investigate the incident and improve safety. But critics say they’ve heard it all before—without follow-through.
Takeaway: Promises are cheap. Lives aren’t.
Bottom Line
The Congo River boat fire and capsizing is the latest chapter in a long series of preventable tragedies in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Until safety regulations, oversight, and infrastructure improve, the country’s rivers will continue to claim lives.
Takeaway: River travel shouldn’t be a death sentence. The time for change is now.
