Dozens dead in Congo boat disaster

Updated 12.41 Fri Jul 25 2008

At least 45 people have died and 112 are missing after a boat sank in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The accident happened after the boat struck a rock on the Ubangi river near the border with the Central African Republic, said Mathieu Bela, district commissioner for North Ubangi.

"There are no signs or signals, which does nothing to help navigation"

Another 25 passengers survived the accident, Mr Bela added.

He said: "The accident happened on Tuesday night when the boat struck a rock in the dark.

"There are no signs or signals, which does nothing to help navigation."

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