{
  "id": 6617986,
  "title": "Fire in rebel-held east Congo kills 24 schoolchildren: Official",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/fire-in-rebel-held-east-congo-kills-24-schoolchildren-official",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T17:13:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/1159932-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A fire in the rebel-controlled city of Bukavu in eastern Congo has claimed the lives of at least 24 schoolchildren, according to a vice governor from the region. The blaze destroyed two schools and burned down approximately 300 wooden houses, leaving a trail of destruction. Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, the vice governor of South Kivu province, confirmed the initial death toll of 24, all of whom were children. Five boys and 19 girls perished in the tragedy. The rebel movement, known as AFC/M23, reported a provisional death toll of 24 and stated that an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the fire. As of now, 29 people, including 21 in intensive care, are receiving medical treatment for their injuries. The fire was extinguished by the afternoon, but thick smoke still billowed from the rubble and twisted metal sheets. A witness recounted seeing the children leaving school when the fire suddenly erupted nearby. Ambulances rushed to transport the deceased and injured to nearby medical facilities. While the final death toll may rise as investigations progress, local health workers reported that at least 10 bodies were brought to a nearby health center, and another hospital admitted over 50 students, of whom 14 tragically died.",
  "summary": "The fire was out by the afternoon but white smoke was still rising from piles of rubble.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Students among 17 killed as fire rips through school in Congo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/students-among-17-killed-as-fire-rips-through-school-in-congo",
        "published": "2026-09-10T14:46:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "DR Congo stampede after school fire kills 14 children",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/dr-congo-stampede-after-school-fire-kills-14-children",
        "published": "2026-09-10T15:24:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "More than a dozen children killed in fire in eastern DR Congo schools",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/more-than-a-dozen-children-killed-in-fire-in-eastern-dr-congo-schools",
        "published": "2026-09-10T17:45:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "At least 24 schoolchildren killed after fire engulfs schools in rebel-controlled Congo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/at-least-24-schoolchildren-killed-after-fire-engulfs-schools-in-rebel",
        "published": "2026-09-10T17:49:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "At least 20 children feared dead in DR Congo school fire",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/at-least-20-children-feared-dead-in-dr-congo-school-fire",
        "published": "2026-09-10T18:02:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Qatar Tribune",
        "title": "At least 26 pupils die in fire at two schools in Congo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/at-least-26-pupils-die-in-fire-at-two-schools-in-congo",
        "published": "2026-09-10T21:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}