At least 16 people killed when a boat caught fire in western Congo, as attacks rise in the east

By JEAN-YVES KAMALE and JUSTIN KABUMBA
Associated Press

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Local officials say at least 16 people were killed Monday when a boat caught fire on the Congo River. The boat was carrying fuel and was on its way to the city of Mbandaka from the eastern part of the capital, Kinshasa. At least 11 people were rescued and it’s unclear if more are missing. The accident in the country’s west comes amid rising insecurity in the conflict-riddled east. At least 30 people were killed and their homes burned Sunday night in Rutshuru Territory in North Kivu province. The attack was perpetrated by the M23 rebel group, who killed people with machetes and guns. Failed peace talks and broken cease-fires have led to continued violence that has displaced tens of thousands of people.