SURVIVORS who swam to safety after their overcrowded boat capsized on a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo said fishermen refused to help drowning passengers and instead looted the goods aboard the burning vessel and beat people with oars.

Survivors who swam to safety after their overcrowded boat capsized on a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo said fishermen refused to help drowning passengers, instead looting the goods aboard the burning vessel and beating people with oars.

Two boats capsized in separate incidents on Congo’s vast rivers, leaving 70 people dead and 200 others missing.

Almost 20 tons of unidentified radioactive material have been found dumped in a river in southern Congo.

At least seven people were crushed to death and 51 injured when panicking crowds went on a stampede during a riot at a soccer match between two of the Congo’s top teams.