Reports citing local authorities indicate that at least 148 people have died after a wooden motorized boat caught fire and capsized.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Congo River, in the northwestern part of the country. The boat was reportedly carrying around 500 passengers, including women and children.

Boat accidents are frequent in Congo because old vessels, often overloaded, serve as the primary transportation method between villages.

Officials believe hundreds are still missing, according to reports. The initial death toll estimate was 50.

The boat, named HB Kongolo, caught fire close to Mbandaka, after departing from Matankumu en route to Bolomba territory.

Sky News reported that approximately 100 survivors were given refuge at the local town hall, and those with burns were transported to nearby hospitals.

The Associated Press quoted river commissioner Compétent Loyoko as saying that the fire started when a woman was cooking on board.

The report added that several passengers, including women and children, drowned after jumping into the water despite being unable to swim.

Earlier this year, at least 78 people died when a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized in Lake Kivu, eastern Congo. In a separate incident in December, at least 22 people died when a river boat sank in western Congo.