39 dead in DR Congo oil tanker collision: Official

Thirty-nine people died in an oil tanker accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to an official death toll Sunday, as President Joseph Kabila decreed three days of mourning for the victims.

Earlier tolls put the number of dead at between 20 and 60.

The accident happened early on Saturday when the oil tanker collided with a vehicle on a highway 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of the capital Kinshasa.

Transport Minister Jose Makila and Health Minister Oly Ilunga said 20 people died at the scene and 19 later at the hospital.