The Democratic Republic announced Monday that at least 37 people remain unaccounted for after a boat capsized on a river in the Kasai province in the southern region.

The accident took place last Wednesday on the Luangatshimo River but was only confirmed yesterday.

According to local administrator Nico Ngenza Kitambala, the boat was carrying 42 passengers travelling from Lovua town to Nangalula when it lost control mid-crossing.

Speaking from Tshikapa city, about 60 kilometres north of the Angolan border, Kitambala noted that the final death toll could be significant.

Despite challenging conditions on the turbulent river, search teams are making every effort to recover victims, the local administrator said while blaming the accident on human error.

He also confirmed the arrest of several individuals in connection with the incident.

This accident follows another recent tragedy on Lake Mai-Ndombe, where dozens of people were also reported missing.