27 dead, 54 missing, in DR Congo boat sinking: local official

At least 27 people have died and 54 are missing after a boat sank in the river Kasai in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a local official said today.

"Rigorous" checks had confirmed "at this stage" the numbers of dead and missing in the accident, which happened overnight Thursday to Friday, the administrator of Idiofa territory, Jacques Mbila, told AFP.