BANGUI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people died on Friday when a boat sank on the Mpoko River in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), witnesses told Xinhua.

More than 300 people boarded a boat bound for the village of Mokelo, in the commune of Bimbo, Ombella-Mpoko prefecture, for the burial of the remains of a group leader, when it sank, several witnesses at the scene told Xinhua.

The provisional toll is at least fifteen dead and many wounded, including children and women, and several victims remain unaccounted for.

The naval and gendarmerie forces are continuing the search in hope of recovering more bodies.

According to eyewitness accounts, the boat sank because it was overcrowded.

Several lifeless bodies were taken to morgues in the capital, while others were recovered by their relatives.

The government of the CAR has yet to comment on the tragedy. Enditem

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