The wooden boat was carrying students returning home after taking state exams. According to local authorities, there were around 100 people on board when the boat sank in an area where the Sankuru and Kasai rivers meet.
There were 80 survivors and 20 fatalities, said Francois Kabula, administrative district head of Kasai province where the accident occurred.
However, an eyewitness said the number of passengers was more like just over 200.
Boat accidents are common in Central Africa. The causes are often overloading, travel in the dark, and a lack of safety procedures and infrastructure.
