At Least 20 Killed in School Fire in Rebel-Controlled Bukavu

A fire that broke out at two primary schools and a nearby settlement in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo city of Bukavu has killed at least twenty people, according to local media reports and medical sources. The incident occurred on Thursday morning in the Chimpunda district of South Kivu’s provincial capital, which is currently under the control of the Alliance of Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFC) and the March 23 Movement (M23). United Nations Radio Okapi, citing local authorities, confirmed that twenty individuals were killed while an unspecified number of others sustained injuries during the blaze.

The fire erupted at approximately 8:00 am local time at the Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools. According to local leader Patrice Buduge, who spoke to the AFP news agency, the flames triggered a violent stampede among the students. He stated that children were forced to trample over one another or seek dangerous exits, resulting in many fainting or losing consciousness due to smoke inhalation and panic. Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed the blaze consuming several houses and spreading rapidly toward the school buildings.

Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, an official from the rebel administration and vice governor of South Kivu province appointed by the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 movement, provided further details to Reuters. She reported that twenty-four people had died, specifying that the victims included nineteen girls and five boys. Additionally, she noted that twenty-nine other individuals were injured in the incident. These figures contrast with earlier reports from local authorities, highlighting the chaotic nature of the emergency response.

Christophe Zigashane, a nurse at a local clinic, told AFP that at least fourteen children were among those killed. He described receiving around fifty students, including several teachers, in a critical state of asphyxia. Zigashane explained that ten patients died at the clinic while four others succumbed at the scene, bringing the total count of child fatalities to fourteen, all under the age of ten. Medical sources emphasized the severity of the respiratory distress caused by the smoke, which compounded the physical trauma from the stampede.

Bukavu remains a focal point of conflict in the eastern DRC, where the presence of armed groups like the M23 has complicated humanitarian efforts and governance. The city’s infrastructure, including educational facilities, often bears the brunt of violence and neglect. This tragedy underscores the precarious living conditions in rebel-held areas, where safety measures are frequently inadequate. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the immediate aftermath revealed a catastrophic loss of life, particularly among young students.

This report was produced in the Europe Brief News newsroom.