At Least 24 Children Killed in DR Congo School Fire Stampede, Rebel Officials Say

The provisional figure was confirmed by rebel-appointed authorities on Thursday evening, after earlier reports said more than 20 children were feared dead. The fire, whose cause is unknown, also destroyed some 300 houses in the area, according to officials.

Survivors have been taken to nearby hospitals, and footage from the scene shows children lying on hospital floors in pain. Pictures circulating on social media show young children lying motionless on the ground. A witness quoted by Reuters said the fire had been put out by afternoon but smoke was still rising from rubble and corrugated metal.

Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province and one of DR Congo's most crowded hillside cities, was captured by M23 rebels in February last year.

In Kinshasa, the national government released a statement on X without specifying casualty numbers. The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship expressed deep sorrow over the deadly fire, noting that several lives had been lost and many injured, with the toll remaining provisional. The minister offered condolences, affirmed solidarity with families, and ordered assessments of affected schools to ensure learning continuity.

The tragedy follows a similar fire in Kinshasa last weekend, where residents died in a stampede at a wedding banquet hall. In response, the government has ordered strict safety measures and deployed teams nationwide to enforce standards at public gathering places.

Why This Matters

At least 24 children are confirmed dead in a preventable mass-casualty event, with the toll likely to rise as searches continue.
The disaster occurred in rebel-held territory, complicating the response and raising questions about who is responsible for safety and accountability.
It comes days after another stampede fire in Kinshasa, prompting a nationwide safety crackdown that will be difficult to enforce.

Background

Bukavu, a hillside city on Lake Kivu, has been under the control of M23 rebels since February last year, making it part of one of the most volatile regions in eastern DR Congo. The fire broke out in the densely populated Kadutu commune, destroying two schools and around 300 houses in an area where tightly packed buildings and narrow streets make emergency response especially difficult. The cause of the fire has not yet been established.

Key Perspectives

Rebel-appointed authorities: They released the provisional death toll of 24 children and say they are assessing the situation, but have given no indication of what started the fire or whether any safety failures are suspected. National government in Kinshasa: It expressed sorrow, offered condolences, and ordered assessments of affected schools, while also announcing nationwide safety teams following last weekend's deadly fire in the capital. It did not give casualty figures, reflecting the political divide with rebel-held Bukavu. Survivors and local witnesses: Hospital footage and social media images show injured children and smouldering ruins, underscoring the human cost and the difficulty of mounting an adequate rescue operation in the area.

What to Watch

Whether the death toll rises beyond 24 as authorities complete their assessment of the rubble and hospitals report on the injured.
Any announcement on the cause of the fire, which could shift attention to negligence or deliberate action.
Whether the government's nationwide safety enforcement teams reach rebel-held areas like Bukavu, or whether enforcement remains limited to government-controlled territory.

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