Over 20 children dead in DR Congo school fire, stampede reported

Tragedy struck in Bukavu on Wednesday when a fire engulfed two school buildings in the conflict-affected region, claiming the lives of more than 20 children, according to local officials. The incident occurred in the eastern city, which remains under the control of armed groups despite being nominally part of government-held territory. The exact circumstances that sparked the blaze remain under investigation.

Witnesses and officials reported scenes of chaos as students rushed to escape the burning structures. A stampede among evacuating children compounded the tragedy, with many crushed in the desperate attempt to reach safety. Emergency responders worked to extract trapped victims from the fire-ravaged buildings as the full scale of the disaster became apparent.

The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in schools across the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern regions, where conflict and instability continue to disrupt education and endanger civilian populations. Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, has experienced repeated cycles of violence and displacement in recent years. Authorities have not yet released complete casualty figures or identified all victims.