At least 26 children have been killed after a fire swept through two schools in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, triggering a deadly stampede as pupils desperately tried to escape.
The fire broke out on Thursday, September 10, in a densely populated area of Bukavu before spreading from a residential building to the nearby Furaha Secondary School and Ujamaa Primary School.
According to the South Kivu provincial government, the victims comprised 19 girls and seven boys. Dozens of other pupils were injured and taken to nearby health facilities, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise.
Witnesses said the situation quickly descended into chaos after smoke and flames engulfed the area. The narrow exit at one of the schools became overwhelmed as pupils rushed to safety.
Some children reportedly jumped from windows on higher floors in an attempt to escape, while others were pushed down and trampled during the rush towards the exit. Some pupils trapped inside the buildings died from suffocation.
A teacher at Ujamaa Primary School, Simon Kasamira, said students began screaming and jumping from upper floors after the fire broke out while classes were underway.
The blaze also destroyed a large number of homes in the surrounding area. Local officials said the densely populated neighbourhood contained many wooden structures, allowing the fire to spread rapidly.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The tragedy has further strained medical facilities in Bukavu, where health workers have struggled to cope with the large number of injured pupils arriving for treatment.
The incident has sparked grief among families and residents as authorities continue efforts to identify victims, treat the injured and assess the full extent of the destruction.
