Unknown Number Of Missing People After Boat Capsizes In Congo

On September 4, 2010, a boat caught on fire and capsized shortly after. This occured in the Democratic Republic Of Congo, on a Saturday night, to be discovered Sunday. The fire and capsizing of the boat was caused by the fuel drums on the ship bursting into flames. Mende Omalanga, a government spokesman, reported the incident to CNN. "24 people escaped the blaze, but an unknown number of passengers - traveling without authorization - went missing." The boat was traveling along the Kasai River, from the town Tshikapa, carrying goods onboard. Omalanga had reported that "the vessel was only meant to be used for carrying cargo, people were not an exception. It caught fire while passing by the village of Mbendayi." An unknown number of passengers remain missing today, as they're whereabouts are being investigated.