At least 193 people killed in two separate boat accidents in DR Congo

At least 193 people were killed following two separate boat accidents this week in northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), authorities and state media have said.

On Thursday, a boat carrying almost 500 passengers caught fire and capsized along the Congo River in the Lukolela territory, Congo's humanitarian affairs ministry said. 209 survivors were rescued by boat near the village of Malange, it added.

Just a day prior, state media reported that 86 people, most of whom were students died when a motorised boat capsized in the Basankusu territory on Wednesday. The accident was attributed to "improper loading and night navigation."

A local civil society group blamed Wednesday's accident on the government and claims the death toll is higher.

It was not immediately clear exactly what caused either accident.

Boats capsizing has become increasingly more frequent in the central African nation, where river transport is essential for travelling between villages. Many people opt to travel by boat, as it is a cheaper mode of transport than travelling by road.

The old wooden vessels are often overloaded, with passengers and their goods, beyond their capacity, and are often not equipped with lifejackets. Additionally, many boats travel at night, which further complicates rescue efforts in the case of accidents.