At least 24 students died on Tuesday following a fire and a subsequent stampede at two adjoining schools in Bukavu, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Officials confirmed the incident occurred at the College Alfajiri and the Lycee Wima, located in a region then controlled by the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD).
The fire reportedly began in the kitchen of one of the schools and spread quickly. According to accounts from news agencies at the time, the blaze caused extensive panic among students and staff, who rushed to evacuate the buildings. The ensuing stampede led to numerous deaths and injuries as individuals were trampled while attempting to pass through crowded exits.
Initial reports from officials and media outlets, including the BBC, placed the death toll at a minimum of 24 students, with several adults also reported among the deceased. The number of injured was also significant, with local medical facilities receiving numerous patients from the scene.
A spokesperson for the United Nations mission in Congo (MONUC), which was active in the region, confirmed the event to reporters. Local authorities and emergency personnel responded to the incident to provide medical assistance and manage the site.
At the time of the fire, Bukavu and the surrounding South Kivu province were under the administration of the RCD, a Rwandan-backed faction involved in the Second Congo War.
Witnesses cited by international news organizations described scenes of confusion as the fire grew. The panic was reportedly intensified by the speed at which the smoke and flames moved through the school structures. Officials noted that the exact cause of the kitchen fire was under investigation.
The final number of casualties remained unconfirmed in the immediate aftermath, as authorities continued to account for all students and staff. The incident drew attention from international observers and humanitarian organizations operating in the conflict-affected region.
