At least 26 students were killed and dozens injured after a fire tore through two schools in the eastern DR Congo city of Bukavu, which is held by AFC/M23 rebels, according to officials and media reports.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- A fire engulfed two schools in the eastern DR Congo city of Bukavu.
- Sky News reports at least 26 students dead and dozens injured.
- Officials say a stampede occurred as students fled the blaze.
- Bukavu is held by AFC/M23 rebels.
- Victims include primary school students, according to Al Jazeera.
At least 26 students have been killed and dozens more injured after a fire swept through two schools in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Bukavu, according to Sky News.
Officials say a stampede broke out as students tried to flee the fire that engulfed the two schools, the BBC reported. The city of Bukavu is held by AFC/M23 rebels.
Casualty figures reported across outlets varied as details emerged. Al Jazeera reported at least 20 and later at least 24 killed, while the BBC said more than 20 children were feared dead. Sky News put the toll at least 26 students dead with dozens injured.
According to Al Jazeera, the victims from the fire in AFC/M23-held Bukavu include primary school students, citing officials and media reports.
The BBC reported that the blaze engulfed two schools in the eastern rebel-held city, and that officials described a stampede as students fled the flames.
The reporting reflects information released by officials and media in the hours after the fire. The full circumstances of the blaze, including its cause, were not detailed in the available sources.
Why it matters
The fire killed a large number of children in a city already under the control of armed rebels, compounding an already fragile security situation in eastern DR Congo. Disasters involving schools raise urgent questions about safety and emergency response in areas affected by conflict.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were killed in the Bukavu school fire?
Reported tolls varied as the story developed. Al Jazeera reported at least 20 and later at least 24 killed, the BBC said more than 20 children were feared dead, and Sky News reported at least 26 students dead with dozens injured.
Where did the fire happen?
The fire swept through two schools in Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that is held by AFC/M23 rebels.
What caused the deaths?
Officials say a stampede occurred as students fled a fire that engulfed two schools, according to the BBC. The cause of the fire was not stated in the available sources.
Timeline
- At least 26 students dead after DR Congo school fire
Sky News: A deadly blaze left as least 26 students dead and dozens injured after a fire swept through two schools in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
- More than 20 children killed in DR Congo school fire
BBC World: Officials say there was a stampede as they fled a fire that engulfed two schools in the eastern rebel-held city of Bukavu.
- More than 20 children feared dead in DR Congo school fire
BBC World: Officials say there was a stampede as they fled a fire that engulfed two schools in the eastern rebel-held city of Bukavu.
- At least 20 killed in school fire in rebel-held DR Congo city
Al Jazeera: Victims from the fire in AFC/M23-held Bukavu include primary school students, say officials and media reports.
- At least 24 killed in school fire in rebel-held DR Congo city
Al Jazeera: Victims from the fire in AFC/M23-held Bukavu include primary school students, say officials and media reports.