DR Congo: At least 24 students killed in Bukavu school fire

At least 24 students have been killed and dozens injured after a fire swept through two schools in Bukavu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local authorities and medical sources.

Two schools, Ujamaa and Furaha, were affected by the blaze.

Witnesses said the fire spread rapidly through the densely populated neighbourhood, where many homes are built from wood and other highly flammable materials.

Students were reportedly caught in a stampede as they tried to flee.

Some were trapped inside buildings, while others were injured after jumping from windows or being crushed in the rush to escape. Several victims also suffered smoke inhalation.

Local health facilities were overwhelmed by the number of casualties.

Reuters reported that 29 people were being treated, with 21 of them in intensive care.

Health workers warned that the death toll could rise as some victims remained in critical condition.

The fire also destroyed about 300 homes, according to Reuters and local reports, leaving hundreds of families facing the loss of their homes and belongings.

Other local reports put the number of damaged or destroyed structures even higher.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established.

Authorities said an investigation was under way, while witnesses reported that the flames may have started in a nearby residential building before spreading towards the schools.

The DRC’s national education ministry said the fire affected schools in Bukavu and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disaster.

In an official statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said the provisional death toll at the time was at least 17 and expressed condolences to the families of those who died.

Bukavu has been controlled by the AFC/M23 rebel movement since February 2025, following an offensive that saw the group seize the city from government forces.

The movement has established its own administration in areas under its control.

The latest disaster comes amid reports of repeated fires in Bukavu.

Local media have reported several recent blazes in densely populated neighbourhoods, raising concerns about fire safety and the ability of emergency services to respond quickly.

The tragedy also comes days after another deadly fire in Kinshasa, where people were killed during a wedding-related incident.