RismadarVoice Reporters
September 10, 2026
At least 20 people, including schoolchildren, have been killed after a fire broke out at two primary schools and a nearby settlement in Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo controlled by the AFC/M23 rebel group.
The blaze occurred in the Chimpunda district of Bukavu, South Kivu Province, on Thursday morning, with local authorities and medical officials confirming that several others were injured.
CONFIRMED FACTS
Local authorities said the fire broke out around 8am local time at Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools before spreading to surrounding homes.
United Nations Radio Okapi, citing local officials, reported that at least 20 people died in the incident, while the number of injured victims remained unclear.
However, Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, an official in the AFC/M23-backed administration in South Kivu, told Reuters that 24 people had died, including 19 girls and five boys.
Bwenge said 29 other people were injured following the fire.
A local nurse, Christophe Zigashane, said several students were brought to a nearby clinic suffering from severe smoke inhalation, with some arriving in critical condition.
He said at least 14 children under the age of 10 were among those who died after being treated at the facility.
Local officials said the fire triggered panic among students, causing a stampede as children attempted to escape the burning buildings.
Patrice Buduge, a local leader, said some students were trampled while others fainted or lost consciousness while trying to flee.
Verified footage from the scene showed flames spreading through several buildings, including homes near the schools.
Local media reported that between 300 and 500 houses, as well as a clinic, were also destroyed by the fire.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the blaze, and the death toll remains provisional as rescue and recovery operations continue.
CONTEXT AND ANALYSIS
The tragedy adds to growing concerns over safety and humanitarian conditions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where communities have faced years of instability linked to armed conflict and displacement.
Bukavu has been under the control of AFC/M23 rebels since the group launched a major offensive in eastern Congo last year.
The city has also recorded several fire outbreaks in recent days, including one blaze last Sunday that destroyed more than 45 homes.
Authorities are expected to investigate whether the latest fire was caused by an accident, infrastructure failures or other factors, as efforts continue to account for victims and provide assistance to affected families.
