In brief
Bombard a violent fire swept through two schools in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving over 20 children dead in a chaotic stampede. Adults also fell victim to the blaze, and 300 homes were wrecked in the vicinity. Survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals, with footage showing children in pain on hospital floors. Rebel‑appointed officials are still assessing the situation while the Kinshasa government has issued a statement expressing sorrow and urging safety reforms. The incident follows a similar fire in Kinshasa that killed residents at a wedding banquet hall, prompting nationwide safety measures.
At least 24 schoolchildren are feared dead in a stampede while they tried to flee a fire that engulfed two schools in rebel‑held Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Adults also died, with fears that the death toll could rise further in the densely populated Kadutu commune.
Survivors were taken to nearby hospitals, and video footage shows children lying on hospital floors in pain.
Some 300 houses have been destroyed by the blaze, whose cause remains unknown.
Rebel authorities say they are assessing the situation and will release a provisional death toll later this evening.
The government in Kinshasa released a statement on X expressing deep sorrow and promising to assess affected schools to ensure learning continuity.
The tragedy follows a similar fire in Kinshasa last weekend, where a stampede at a wedding hall killed residents.
In response, the government has ordered strict safety measures and deployed teams nationwide to enforce standards at public gathering places.
By Emery Makumeno & Robert Greenall, BBC Africa
