Dozens of Children Killed in Stampede as Fire Sweeps Through Schools in Eastern DR Congo

A senior official has reported that at least 24 schoolchildren are feared dead after a stampede broke out as they attempted to escape a fire that engulfed two schools in Bukavu, a rebel-held city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Adults are also believed to have perished in the blaze, and authorities fear the death toll may rise further in the densely populated Kadutu commune.

Survivors have been transported to nearby hospitals, where footage of the aftermath showed children lying on floors in pain.

Approximately 300 houses have also been destroyed. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Images shared on social media depicted young children lying motionless on the ground.

A witness quoted by Reuters said the fire had been extinguished by afternoon, though smoke continued to rise from rubble and corrugated metal.

Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province and one of DR Congo’s most densely populated hillside cities, was seized by M23 rebels in February of last year.

Rebel-appointed authorities say they are assessing the situation and will release a provisional death toll this evening.

Meanwhile, the government in Kinshasa issued a statement on X without specifying the number of casualties.

“The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship expressed deep sorrow over the deadly fire,” the statement read.

“With several lives lost and many injured, the toll remains provisional. The minister offered condolences, affirmed solidarity with families, and ordered assessments of affected schools to ensure learning continuity.”

The tragedy comes days after a similar fire in Kinshasa last weekend, in which residents died in a stampede at a wedding banquet hall.

In response, the government has ordered strict safety measures and deployed teams nationwide to enforce standards at public gathering places.

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