BANGUI, Central African Republic, April  20, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - At least 58

people going to a funeral died after their overloaded boat capsized in the
Central African Republic's capital Bangui, the head of civil protection said on
Saturday.

       "We were able to extract 58 lifeless bodies. We don't know the total number
of people who are underwater," Thomas Djimasse told Radio Guira.

       According to witnesses and videos on social media, the boat was carrying
more than 300 people -- some standing and others perched on wooden structures
-- when it overturned on the Mpoko river on Friday.

       The vessel was heading to the funeral of a village chief but capsized
shortly after setting off, with rescuers arriving 40 minutes after the
disaster.

       Maurice Kapenya, who followed the boat in a canoe because there was no
space on board, said he collected the bodies of some of the victims, including
his own sister, with the help of fishermen and residents.

       Families were seen near the river on Saturday looking for their loved ones
who were still missing.