More than 20 killed in fire at wedding party in DR Congo

A fire at a wedding party in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has tragically claimed at least 22 lives, according to local authorities. The blaze erupted at a building in Lingwala, northern Kinshasa, on Friday night, causing panic among guests as they struggled to evacuate through narrow hallways filled with thick smoke and flames.

The congestion inside the building made it difficult for people to escape, leading to several victims being trapped and ultimately succumbing to the fire. Several others were injured, but their numbers have not been confirmed. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, with authorities set to investigate the incident. This tragedy has reignited concerns over safety standards in Kinshasa, where frequent fires have become a recurring issue due to rapid urban development and inadequate emergency infrastructure.

Brief written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.