100 feared lost after boat catches fire and sinks in Central African Republic

Nearly 100 people are feared missing in the Central African Republic after a boat caught fire and sank on a river in the strife-torn country this week, officials said Thursday. The sinking happened after the boat’s motor exploded, starting a fire that quickly engulfed the vessel, with terrified passengers jumping overboard. It had been carrying an estimated 100 people down the Oubangui River from the capital Bangui when the fire broke out near the village of Modale.

It is hard to say how many people have died because there is no rescue team in the area.

A naval official statement

A naval official said at least 80 people were on board the New Jerusalem when it left Bangui, 125 kilometres upstream from where it came to grief. “But others had probably been taken on during the voyage bringing the number of passengers to more than 100.”  Overloaded and badly-maintained boats often sink on the Oubangui, with safety regulations rarely followed in the impoverished country, where thousands have died in fighting since a March 2013 coup.

Africa Central African Republic