100 missing as blazing boat sinks

BANGUI: Nearly 100 people are feared missing in the Central African Republic after a boat caught fire and sank on a river in the strife-torn country this week, officials said yesterday. The sinking happened on Monday after the boat’s motor exploded, starting a fire that quickly engulfed the vessel, with terrified passengers jumping overboard, officials said. It had been carrying an estimated 100 people down the Oubangui River from the capital Bangui when the fire broke out near the village of Modale. A naval official said at least 80 people were on board the New Jerusalem when it left Bangui, 125km upstream from where it came to grief.