Shipwreck in Congo River leaves 9 dead, scores missing

Searchers in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday looked for about 100 people still missing from a shipwreck that more than 200 people survived and in which nine are confirmed dead.

The boat sank around 9:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. ET) Friday along the Congo River near Maluku, which is part of the capital city of Kinshasa in the western part of the central African nation, according to a United Nations radio report.

The vessel -- the MB Mobek, which was early into its route and was carrying several tons of merchandise -- went down after striking an obstacle.

Maluku Mayor Papy Epiana told UN Radio on Sunday that authorities don't have a copy of the ship's manifest "because we haven't seen the general or the commander." But they believe about 100 people are missing, while more than 200 survived.

"We have recovered nine bodies since Friday," Epiana said.

Monday 24 December 2012

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/23/world/africa/congo-boat-sinks/index.html?hpt=hp_t3