{
  "id": 6754427,
  "title": "At least 26 students killed as fire sweeps two schools in Congo",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/at-least-26-students-killed-as-fire-sweeps-two-schools-in-congo",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T11:06:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/africa/at-least-26-students-killed-as-fire-sweeps-two-schools-in-congo-1.500671049"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At least 26 students were killed and dozens more injured when a fire engulfed two schools in the eastern Congolese city of Bukavu, according to provincial authorities. Among the fatalities were 19 girls and seven boys, though the death toll may rise. The fire began in a nearby house before spreading to the adjoining Furaha secondary school and Ujamaa primary school. Local neighborhood administrator Moïse Lubala informed the Associated Press that several students were trapped inside Furaha school as flames spread, while others suffered smoke inhalation or injuries during the escape. Students of various ages were brought to the nearby Nyamulagira BDOM health centre, where medical staff were treating a large number of casualties. Ciza Jean-Baptiste, a nurse at the center, stated that determining the exact number of injured was challenging due to the high volume of patients. The M23 rebel group, which controls Bukavu, initially reported 24 student deaths and 29 people receiving treatment, but the provincial government later confirmed at least 26 deaths. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the blaze caused significant damage in the densely populated neighborhood, where many homes are primarily constructed from wood, increasing the risk of rapid fire spread.",
  "summary": "Bikavu: At least 26 students were killed and dozens more injured after a fire swept through two neighbouring schools in the eastern city of Bukavu on Thursday, provincial authorities said. The South Kivu provincial government said 19 girls and seven boys were among those killed, warning that the death toll could rise. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}