More than 100 people are dead or missing after a boat sank on the Congo River, AFP reported on Saturday, citing provincial authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

Sixty-one bodies had been recovered by Saturday from the sinking accident during the night of Monday to Tuesday, and another 60 are believed to be missing, according to local officials, who added that there were 31 survivors.

Search and rescue operations are continuing. 

Boat accidents are common in the country full of lakes, because vessels are often overloaded with passengers and cargo. Most of the passengers traveling on vessels do not wear life jackets.

(Cover image: River Congo. /Reuters)

(With input from AFP)