At least 29 schoolchildren have died in a stampede after a fire broke out at two schools in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bukavu, DR Congo (Running Africa) — At least 29 children have been killed after a fire engulfed two schools in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, triggering a stampede as pupils and adults attempted to escape.
The blaze broke out in the densely populated Kadutu commune, according to authorities appointed by the M23 rebel group, which controls the eastern city.
Several other people were also reported killed, while dozens of survivors were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Emergency teams continued searching the affected area, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise.
Bukavu Fire Engulfs Two Schools
The fire spread through two schools in Kadutu, causing panic as children and adults attempted to flee.
Authorities have not yet established what caused the blaze or provided a detailed account of how it spread through the schools and the surrounding residential neighborhood.
The deaths of at least 29 children make the disaster particularly devastating for families in the community.
Around 300 Homes Destroyed in Kadutu
Beyond the schools, the fire destroyed about 300 homes, leaving widespread damage across the densely populated area.
Survivors were transported to hospitals in and around Bukavu as emergency workers continued searching for victims and assessing the scale of the destruction.
Officials have cautioned that casualty figures could change as rescue and recovery operations continue.
Tragedy Strikes M23-Controlled Bukavu
The disaster comes as Bukavu remains under the control of M23 rebels, who seized the strategic eastern Congolese city earlier this year amid the continuing conflict with government forces and allied militias.
The prolonged fighting has already created significant humanitarian pressures across eastern DR Congo, including displacement and disruption to essential services.
For Bukavu residents, the latest tragedy adds another emergency to a city already dealing with the consequences of conflict.
With at least 29 children dead, other fatalities reported, and hundreds of homes destroyed, attention is now focused on the search for remaining victims and the investigation into what caused the deadly Kadutu fire.
