Dozens of people are missing after an overcrowded boat capsized on the Fimi River in central Democratic Republic of Congo.

An overcrowded boat capsized on a river in central Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 25 people including children and leaving dozens missing, officials and residents said.

The ship, which is believed to have been carrying more than 100 passengers, departed from the town of Inongo, northeast of the capital Kinshasa, on Tuesday. Driving along the Fimi River, it drops a few hundred meters.

Hours later, the search for the missing person was underway.

Inongo River Commissioner David Kalemba said: “The roof is overloaded and at least 25 lifeless bodies have been recovered so far.”

Alex Mbumba, a resident of the area, said the capsized vessel was also carrying cargo. “Among the dead were children… there were many passengers on the boat,” Mbemba told The Associated Press.

Fatal boating accidents are common in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with ships often carrying far more than they can carry. There are few paved roads in the country’s vast forested areas, and river travel is common.

At least 78 people drowned In October, a boat reportedly carrying hundreds of people capsized in Lake Kivu in the east of the country. Another 80 people died in the accident similar accident In June, on the Kwa River, about 70 kilometers from the city of Mushi, Main Dombe Province, near Kinshasa.

The latest accident was the fourth this year in Main Dombe province, an area surrounded by rivers, prompting calls for authorities to equip it with flotation devices.

“The government must take action to improve safety in our province’s waters (because) navigation conditions are dangerous,” Mbemba said.