A boat fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed far fewer people than what was previously reported. 

AFP and DPA news agencies reported Sunday that the death toll from the disaster, which happened in the northwestern Congolese province of Equateur, now stands at 33.

Earlier reports quoted sources as saying   up to 148 people died in the boat fire.

The incident occured at the confluence of the Congo and Ruki rivers near the city of Mbandaka. The boat was believed to have been transporting around 400 people.  

Mabandaka mayor: 'Confusion' led to death toll discrepencies

"We count 195 who have survived, including 22 burn victims who are being cared for at Wangata general hospital, and 33 deaths, with 29 people already burned and four more still at the morgue," the mayor of Mbandaka, Yves Balo, told AFP news agency. 

Balo said there was "confusion" that led to the varying accounts of the death toll.    

According to Congolese police, cooking onboard the vessel is believed to have ignited the deadly blaze. 

Due to inadequate road infrastructure and public transportation, many Congolese choose to get around the country by boat. The Congo River is the second-longest river in Africa, after the Nile.   

Boat accidents are common in Congo due to overcrowded vessels, with passengers often not given safety jackets. Boat travel sometimes occurs late at night, making the journeys more risky.

Editors note: This article has been updated to state that boat accidents are common due to the cited safety issues, and not uncommon as stated in the previous version.

Edited by: Darko Janjevic