Bukavu Blaze Leaves Dozens of Children Dead in DR Congo

Thu Sep 10 2026 22:32:09 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A fire that tore through two schools in Bukavu has claimed over 20 children, fueling a humanitarian crisis amid ongoing M23 rebel control.

In the early hours of a Tuesday, a blaze engulfed two school buildings in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 24 children and several adults. Firefighters contained the fire by afternoon, but the damage remains extensive, with 300 houses destroyed. Officials report that more killings may occur as more survivors are taken to hospitals. The incident follows Bukavu’s takeover by M23 rebels last February and follows a recent humiliating fire that took place at a wedding banquet in Kinshasa.

Bukavu Blaze Leaves Dozens of Children Dead in DR Congo

In the early hours of Tuesday, a sudden blaze erupted in two school buildings surrounded by dense residential housing in the Kadutu commune of Bukavu. 22 or more schoolchildren—estimated at 24 when authorities did a final count—perished in a shock‑induced stampede as students fled the fire.

The flames, likely ignited by a faulty electrical outlet, consumed roofs and corrugated metal, turning the buildings into a smouldering ruin. 300 neighbouring houses, many privately owned, were destroyed or severely damaged in the after‑fire sweep. A survivor’s account, relayed through Reuters, reported that the blaze was extinguished by midday, yet the nearby wreckage still emitted smoky grey smog into the air.

The conflict that has raged in eastern Congo since 2014 was intensified last summer when the insurgent M23 faction took control of Bukavu in February last year. The occupying administrators are working to collate casualty numbers, while the national Ministry of Education has issued an official condolence statement, calling for immediate safety audits and a temporary halt to educational operations until rebuilding is complete.

The death toll is still provisional. While healthcare facilities in the city have fielded children with burns and smoke inhalation, official estimates remain conservative. The incident has provoked a broader conversation about fire safety protocols in school structures under rebel jurisdictions and the ongoing need for robust emergency medical training among local responders.

The blaze follows a similar, violent fire at a wedding banquet hall in Kinshasa just last weekend where a stampede also claimed lives. The Kinshasa government has promised a nationwide overhaul of public safety regulations and stricter enforcement of fire codes. Amid these events, human rights groups advocate for increased accountability of the M23 forces, urging an impartial investigation into possible negligence or sabotage.

The emergency personnel on the ground are now preparing for yet another critical operation in an area that sparkles with fragile hope amid a transformation underway. While the immediate shock has subsided, the long‑term survival of the children, families and Bukavu itself remains uncertain—highlighting the need for immediate coalition‑driven humanitarian relief.