BANGUI
At least 100 people were reported missing after their boat sank in the Ubangi River in the Central African Republic (CAR), a local naval official said Thursday.
"The boat sank on Monday near Modal village, 125km from capital Bangui, after its engine exploded and a fire broke out on board," the official told The Anadolu Agency, requesting anonymity.
No official death toll has been released so far and official investigations have yet to be finalized. It also remains unclear whether there were any survivors.
Last September, at least 80 people were reported missing after their boat sank in the M'poko River south of Bangui. Only 20 people were rescued.
Hundreds of people cross the Ubangi River each day in both directions. Some go to farmland in villages along the river, while others go to Bangui to stock up on supplies.
Passengers tend to use dilapidated ferries that frequently break down due to a lack of fuel. Many, therefore, resort to small, overloaded boats, causing frequent boat mishaps and accidents.
