What happened
least 20 killed in school fire in rebel-held DR Congo city Victims from the fire in AFC/M23-held Bukavu include primary school students, say officials and media reports. At least 20 killed in school fire in rebel-held DR Congo city Congolese civilians gather to salvage their belongings from the ruins of a fire at a school and neighbouring settlement in an area controlled by Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebels in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on September 10, 2026 [ ] A fire in Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) rebel-controlled city of Bukavu has killed at least 20 people, including students, according to local media and medical sources.
What we know
United Nations Radio Okapi, quoting local authorities, said 20 people were killed and an unspecified number injured on Thursday when a fire broke out in the Chimpunda district of Bukavu, South Kivu’s provincial capital. The report said the incident took place at Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools and a nearby settlement at about 8am local time. The fire was “followed by a violent stampede that forced students to trample over one another or look for a dangerous way out; many of them fainted and others lost consciousness”, local leader Patrice Buduge told the AFP news agency. Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, an official from the rebel administration, told the news agency 24 people had died – 19 girls and five boys. Bwenge, who is vice governor of South Kivu province in the government appointed by the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 movement, added that 29 others were injured. Christophe Zigashane, a nurse at a local clinic, told AFP at least 14 children were among those killed.
Originally reported by Al Jazeera.
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