More Than 20 Children Killed in DR Congo School Fire
At least 24 pupils died in a stampede after a fire engulfed two schools in rebel-held Bukavu, with fears the death toll could rise.
- Officials say at least 24 schoolchildren died while trying to escape the fire.
- The blaze also reportedly destroyed about 300 houses in the densely populated Kadutu commune.
- Several adults are also believed to have died, while rescue teams continue to assess the extent of the tragedy.
At least 24 schoolchildren have died in a stampede after a fire broke out at two schools in rebel-held Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), according to local officials.
The fire erupted in the densely populated Kadutu commune, prompting pupils to flee the affected schools. Officials have warned that the death toll could rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
Several adults are also believed to have died in the incident, while scores of people were injured. Survivors have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, with footage from the scene showing injured children receiving care on hospital floors.
The blaze also destroyed about 300 houses, although its cause remains unknown.
Rebel-appointed authorities announced a provisional death toll of 24 on Thursday evening, confirming earlier reports of the tragedy. However, concerns remain that additional victims could be found in the aftermath of the fire.
Images circulating on social media showed young children lying motionless on the ground, while a witness quoted by Reuters said the fire had been brought under control by the afternoon, although smoke continued to rise from the rubble and twisted sheets of corrugated metal.
Bukavu Under Rebel Control
Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, is one of DR Congo’s most densely populated cities and is built across steep hillsides.
The city was captured by M23 rebels in February last year as the armed group expanded its control over parts of eastern DR Congo.
Meanwhile, the government in Kinshasa issued a statement expressing grief over the tragedy but did not provide a specific casualty figure.
“The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship expressed deep sorrow over the deadly fire,” the statement said.
The ministry said the number of casualties remained provisional, adding that the education minister had extended condolences to affected families and ordered assessments of the damaged schools to ensure that learning could continue.
Second Deadly Fire in a Week
The tragedy comes just days after another deadly fire in Kinshasa, where people were killed in a stampede at a wedding banquet hall.
Following the latest incidents, the government has ordered stricter safety measures and deployed teams across the country to enforce safety standards at public gathering places.
