In the eastern city of Bukavu, families gathered around rows of coffins, many holding photographs of the victims, as hundreds attended the funeral service. UNICEF confirmed that at least 26 children died in the incident, with 25 others sustaining injuries.
The fire broke out at approximately 9 a.m. local time on Thursday, September 11, while pupils were attending lessons at Ujamaa Primary School in the Chimpunda neighborhood of Bukavu’s densely populated Kadutu commune. As flames spread through the wooden building, some children jumped from upper floors, while others rushed toward the exits, triggering a stampede in which several were trampled.
A report from the Congolese education ministry indicated that three fires started at locations about 500 meters apart, with some victims succumbing to asphyxiation. The blaze also destroyed hundreds of homes, with local officials estimating that around 300 houses were affected, leaving dozens injured. At its peak, 21 patients were in intensive care.
Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, has been under the control of the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 armed group since February 2025. M23 authorities declared three days of mourning and initially reported a death toll of 24, including 19 girls and five boys, before UNICEF revised the figure to 26.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, with both the authorities in Kinshasa and the M23 administration calling for a thorough investigation.