UN mission in DR of Congo rescues ship in distress

A Kisangani-bound vessel belonging to the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has rescued a convoy of two barges and a tug belonging to a Congolese company, which had drifted on the Congo River with 150 passengers on board.

The rescue operation occurred between Kinshasa and Mbandaka, according to a statement issued by MONUC today.

MONUC crew assisted the 150 passengers, taking them to Kwamouth, a village located 2 kilometres from the shipwreck before resuming their journey.

The statement said this was the second time that a MONUC vessel had rescued a convoy in distress on the Congo River. In August, a tug carrying 100 passengers was stranded in a sandbank and later rescued by the Mission.