Bukavu school fire kills at least 24 children in chaotic stampede

Fri Sep 11 2026 12:19:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A blaze that engulfed two schools in rebel‑held Bukavu left over 20 children dead and 300 homes destroyed, raising questions about safety standards in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

A devastating fire leveled two schools in Bukavu, resulting in at least 24 children and several adults dying in a stampede as they fled the blaze. The incident, occurring in the rebel‑controlled Kadutu commune, also destroyed roughly 300 houses and left smoke billowing from the wreckage. Authorities in Kinshasa offered condolences and called for an urgent review of safety protocols, while the region’s M23 rebels had taken control of the area earlier this year. The tragedy follows a recent similar incident in Kinshasa where a wedding hall fire caused additional deaths, prompting the government to roll out stricter safety measures for public events.

A devastating blaze swept through two schools in the rebel‑occupied city of Bukavu, killing at least 24 schoolchildren and several adults in a frantic stampede, officials report.

Casualties in Hot-Spot – The twin schools collapsed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kadutu commune. Investigators say the fire spread rapidly; as children tried to escape the inferno, they were forced into dense crowds that turned deadly.

Hospitals in the region received an influx of wounded, with footage showing children lying on white marble floors, cries echoing across corridors. Rumours about the cause of the fire persist; investigators have yet to confirm whether faulty wiring, accidental ignition, or foul play caused the blaze.

Beyond the tragic loss of life, the fire reduced nearly 300 nearby houses to rubble, sealing insecurity for families with little means to rebuild. The destruction of residential infrastructure underscores the volatility of life in rebel zones where basic utilities are often unreliable.

A provisional death tally of 24 was released by rebel‑appointed authorities on Thursday evening, but officials cautioned that the true total could rise as more bodies are discovered.

The incident echoes a earlier tragedy on the Congolese capital’s streets. Earlier this past week, a wedding banquet hall in Kinshasa caught fire during a crowded reception, leading to dozens of deaths and prompting Kinshasa’s government to impose stricter fire‑safety standards nationwide.

The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship expressed deep remorse in a statement on X, committing to “solidarity with the bereaved families” and pledging a comprehensive audit of school safety protocols across the country.

Local experts warn that Bukavu’s status as a major hillside city, combined with ongoing clashes between M23 rebels and government forces, has strained emergency response capabilities. The city’s capture by M23 in February last year has left many essential services—train, fire, and police—operating under contested authority.

Human rights groups urge an independent investigation into the incident, calling for transparent accountability for those responsible. They also recommend a national review of school building codes and fire‑mitigation infrastructures to prevent future catastrophes.

While the government pledges to scrutinize where responsibilities lie, the urgent question remains whether child safety regulations can be enforced amid a conflict‑divided state. For many families, the immediate priority is security and aid, yet the long‑term solution will require a robust system of regulation and monitoring, the announcement panicked officials say is underway.