Hundreds of people are feared to have drowned after a convoy of boats sank in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday night.
Officially, there were 122 passengers on board, of whom 108 have been rescued, leaving 14 unaccounted for.
But local politician Didace Pembe has warned that hundreds more could still be missing and eyewitnesses have told the BBC there were far more than 122 people on board the boats.
Mr. Pembe has also called on the authorities to provide medical care for the survivors.
Travelling on the waterways is common in the province of Mai Ndombe, due to the poor state of the roads.
However, local boats seldom have passenger lists showing the correct number of people on board.
And safety measures - aiming to prevent overloading and limit night sailings - are not always enforced.
Latest Stories
-
Barca scores 5 again in Copa del Rey win over Betis
1 hour -
Harry Kane scores again as Bayern thrash Hoffenheim
1 hour -
Arsenal win North-London derby to close gap at the top
1 hour -
Djokovic breaks Federer record in Melbourne win
2 hours -
Foreign Affairs Ministry lists categories of recalled diplomatic and service passports
2 hours -
NAELP refutes defamatory claims, highlights achievements
3 hours -
2024 Election: Voter apathy caused NPP’s defeat – Justin Kodua
3 hours -
Ghanaian teacher shortlisted for GEM’s $1m global prize
3 hours -
Young entrepreneurs encouraged to capitalise on 5-year tax exemption Incentives
3 hours -
Lord Morrgan fulfils promise; gifts fan Wale new motorbike
4 hours -
CHAN 2024 Draw: Two-time Champions Morocco in Group A with hosts Kenya
4 hours -
Disregarding ORAL’s mandate doesn’t help the nation – Kpebu
4 hours -
NDC gov’t cannot fulfil its promises under the current IMF programme – Godfred Bokpin
4 hours -
13 newly recruited staff posted to Creative Arts Agency
4 hours -
NPP: You can’t blame me or the chairman for election defeat – Justin Kodua
5 hours