Mbandaka - More than 100 people have lost their lives in a tragic boat accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo. More are missing.

Whalers were sailing in a wooden boat on the Congo River near the town of Mbandaka in the northwest of the African country on Tuesday evening when the vessel suddenly burst into flames.

According to a report in the"Voice of Congo" magazine, the fire was started by a woman who had started cooking in the middle of the boat.

Over 100 people lost their lives in the devastating sea of flames. An official death toll has not yet been announced.

Dozens of passengers jumped overboard to save their lives. People are still missing.

Images show how a meter-high flame rises from the middle of the long fishing boat. Looking at other images on social media, it becomes clear how hundreds of people can fit on such a boat. They show how people on board cavort close together among the junk.