Congo tragedy: at least 80 dead after boat capsized

July 29, 2010 10:37 PM EDT

At least 80 people were found dead after a boat capsized in west of Congo on Thursday, said a government spokesman.

Lambert Mende said rescuers were searching for dozens of missing people, and that there were around 200 passengers on board. Mende said 80 people had been confirmed dead.

Congo is a vast country of jungles and huge rivers in Central Africa with little more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) of paved road. Many people prefer to take boats even if they do not know how to swim.

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The boats are often in poor repair and filled beyond capacity, and the industry is not well-regulated.

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