A logging boat which was ferrying logs accross Lake Mai Ndombe in the western Democratic Republic of Congo sank in bad weather leaving at least 73 people dead and many others missing.

The boat also referred to as two barges in some reports sank amid bad weather with the Red Cross advising that there are likely to be more bodies trapped underwater.

The boat operating in Bandundu province has no authorisation to take on passengers and charges of manslaughter against the company and certain individuals may well arise out of this disaster.

At least 73 people were killed and others missing after a logging boat sank in a lake in , a Red Cross official said on Saturday.

The boat sank in bad weather and had been transporting logs on Lake Mai Ndombe in , United Nations-sponsored Radio Okapi said.

In total there are 272 survivors and 73 dead so far with the bodies being recovered along the shores of the lake.

There are still some people missing but due to there being no ship's manifest authorities are unabled to say how many.

The DRC has a very poor road network which results in the necessity of using boats. Unfortunately their safety record is less than ideal.