More than 20 children killed in DR Congo school fire

A devastating fire has claimed the lives of at least 24 schoolchildren in Bukavu, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The inferno, which occurred in the rebel-held Kadutu commune, prompted a frantic stampede as children attempted to escape. Survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals, where their injuries were evident.

In addition to the young victims, adults are reported to have perished in the blaze, and fears linger that the death toll may rise further. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Approximately 300 houses were destroyed in the inferno, further exacerbating the extent of the catastrophe. Social media images depict young children lying lifeless on the ground.

A witness stated that the fire was extinguished by afternoon, but smoke continued to billow from the rubble and corrugated metal structures. Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, has been under M23 rebel control since February of the previous year. The government in Kinshasa issued a somber statement on X, expressing deep sorrow and offering condolences to the families of the deceased.

The Minister of National Education and New Citizenship affirmed solidarity with the affected families and ordered assessments of the impacted schools to guarantee uninterrupted learning. This tragedy follows a similar incident in Kinshasa last weekend, where a stampede during a wedding banquet hall resulted in the loss of resident lives.

In response to the recent events, the government has mandated stringent safety measures and dispatched teams across the nation to enforce standards at public gathering places.