Thursday, September 10, 2026 - At least 24 students have been killed after a devastating fire swept through two schools in Bukavu, eastern Congo, on Thursday. The victims included 19 girls and five boys, while 29 people were reported to be receiving medical treatment.
The blaze began at a nearby house before spreading rapidly to Furaha Secondary School and Ujamaa Primary School, leaving students trapped as they tried to escape.
Panic and overcrowding turned the fire into a deadly disaster, with witnesses reporting that some students suffocated while others were forced to jump through windows because exits were too narrow.
The surrounding neighborhood, made up largely of wooden structures, also suffered extensive damage, with about 300 houses destroyed. Hospitals and health centers were overwhelmed as injured students and victims were brought in for emergency treatment.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire as concerns grow over safety conditions in schools and densely populated communities across the region.
The tragedy comes as eastern Congo already faces severe insecurity and pressure on its health services, making the loss of so many children an especially devastating blow. The immediate priority is rescuing survivors, supporting affected families and determining how such a disaster can be prevented from happening again.
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