They're tastier than they look. Edible insects in the form of wriggling maggots or hairy caterpillars are both delicacy and staple in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a central African nation of nearly 120 million people. In markets in the capital Kinshasa, tubs full of writhing white maggots line the alleyways, and women traders fry caterpillars, spiced with chili, over charcoal fires.
One boat carrying nearly 500 passengers capsized after catching fire while traveling on the Congo River near Malange village, Lukolela territory, on Thursday evening, the Ministry of Social Affairs said. In a report, the ministry said 209 survivors had been rescued, while 146 people were missing. The boat drifted downstream as it burned, the report said, adding that the fire had destroyed the vessel's cargo and ignited 15 homes on the riverbank.
