About 55 people survived the accident, according to local sources.
The boat was traveling to the neighboring Republic of Congo when it went capsized on the Lulonga River late Tuesday near the town of Basankusu, officials said.
The authorities blamed overloading for the boat’s demise but said that locals have few other options.
Deadly Boat accidents are common in DR Congo where boats are frequently overloaded with passengers, animals, and goods.
On 15 February 2021, a ship sank in the Congo River in Mai-Ndombe province, near Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo killing at least 60 people. (ILKHA)