At least 24 students killed in fire at two schools in Bukavu — TimesLIVE
In the city of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a fire that engulfed two neighboring schools killed at least 24 students. Dozens more people were injured, TimesLIVE reports, citing the M23-controlled administration and local officials.
Among the dead are 19 girls
M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said that 19 girls and five boys were killed. According to him, 29 people are receiving treatment at local medical facilities.
Local district administrator Moise Lubala told the Associated Press that the fire started in a residential building and then spread to the nearby Furaha secondary school and Ujamaa primary school. Several students were trapped in the Furaha school building, and some of them suffocated.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Narrow exit and stampede
According to Lubala, the exit from the premises was too narrow. Some students jumped from windows, while others rushed toward the door. During the stampede, children were knocked down and trampled.
Siza Jean-Baptiste, a worker at the Nyamulagira BDOM medical center, told AP that students of different ages from both schools — boys and girls in school uniforms — were brought to the facility. Doctors could not immediately determine the exact number of victims because of their large number.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established. According to Lubala, the area where the blaze began is densely populated, and most homes there are built of wood. Bukavu has been controlled since February 2025 by the M23 group, which, according to the outlet, is supported by Rwanda.
