Apr 19, Kathmandu- At least 143 people have died and many are still missing after a fuel tanker caught fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo, near Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur province, at the confluence of the world’s deepest and largest river, the Congo River.

Local civil society leader Joseph Lokondo said some of the deaths were confirmed as burns and others as drowning. He estimated the death toll at 145.

A fire that started while cooking on the boat spread to the fuel, causing a huge explosion.

Videos posted on social media showed the boat engulfed in flames and billowing smoke. The boat was seen drifting far from shore.

The injured have been rescued and taken to hospital for treatment. Many families are still unaware of the condition of their loved ones, Lokondo said.

Expressing his condolences to the affected families, local authorities are urgently carrying out necessary rescue and relief operations.