At least 80 people have died after a boat sank in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The disaster happened on Wednesday on the Kwa River, 70km from the town of Mushie in the province of Maï-Ndombe near the border with neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville.

In a statement on social media, the President of DR Congo, FÉLIX TSHISEKEDI said he was devastated, noting that those affected would receive help and also ordered an investigation into what caused it.

Deadly boat accidents are common in DR Congo, where boats are frequently overcrowded with passengers who are rarely given safety jackets and often cannot swim.