Fire at Congo schools kills at least 26 students in Bukavu

The South Kivu provincial government confirmed that 19 girls and seven boys perished in the fire at the two schools, with officials warning the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue. The M23 rebel group, which controls the city, reported slightly higher casualty figures through a spokesperson, claiming 24 students were killed with 29 people receiving treatment at local medical facilities.

Local administrator Moise Lubala told reporters that the fire originated in a residential house before spreading rapidly to the adjacent schools. Students at Furaha secondary school were particularly affected, with several trapped inside the building and others succumbing to smoke inhalation during the blaze.

Emergency responders brought students from both Furaha secondary school and Ujamaa primary school to the Nyamulagira health center still wearing their school uniforms. Medical staff struggled to process the large number of casualties, with nurses working to document injuries and coordinate treatment for the survivors brought in from the fire.

The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns at educational facilities in eastern Congo, where armed conflict and infrastructure challenges have long hindered emergency response capabilities.