At least 193 people have died after an overloaded motorised boat capsized in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Equateur province, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

According to international media reports, the ill-fated vessel was carrying far more passengers and cargo than its capacity when it overturned in a river late at night.

Officials said the boat suddenly lost balance and sank, triggering one of the deadliest river tragedies in recent years.

Rescue workers have so far recovered over 100 bodies, while dozens remain missing.

Local officials warned that chances of survival for those still unaccounted for are slim, though search operations continue with the help of nearby villagers.

Tragically, the majority of those killed were students traveling from their villages to nearby towns for their studies.

Local media blamed poor navigation at night and improper cargo loading for the disaster. The provincial administration has called for stricter safety measures to prevent such accidents in the future.