School fire kills at least 20 in M23-controlled DR Congo city

A devastating fire swept through a primary school in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, claiming the lives of at least 20 people, officials and local media reported. The majority of the victims were primary school students, according to accounts from local authorities and journalists on the ground.

Bukavu has remained under the control of the M23 armed group since their capture of the city in late 2023. The rebel group's presence in the region has contributed to ongoing instability and humanitarian challenges across South Kivu province.

Details surrounding the cause of the fire and the exact circumstances of the incident remained unclear in initial reports. Rescue and emergency response operations faced potential constraints given the security situation in the rebel-held territory.

The incident adds to mounting concerns about civilian safety and infrastructure vulnerabilities in areas controlled by armed groups across the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. South Kivu province has been a focal point of conflict involving M23 and other militia groups, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians in recent years.