More Than 20 Children Killed in DR Congo School Fire

BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo — September 11, 2026: At least 24 schoolchildren have died after a fire swept through two schools in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, triggering a deadly stampede as pupils tried to escape the flames.

The fire broke out on Thursday morning in the densely populated Kadutu commune and spread from a nearby building to Ujamaa Primary School and Furaha Secondary School. Authorities said the blaze also destroyed about 300 wooden houses in the surrounding community.

According to officials, the victims included 19 girls and five boys. Several other people, including students and teachers, were injured and taken to nearby medical facilities. At least 29 people were reportedly receiving treatment, with a number of patients in critical condition.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as students attempted to flee the burning buildings. The narrow exits reportedly contributed to a stampede, with some pupils falling or being trampled while others struggled to escape through windows.

Emergency workers and medical personnel continued efforts to treat survivors and recover victims. Health facilities in the area have faced heavy pressure from the large number of injured students arriving for treatment.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and authorities have begun investigations. Officials have warned that the death toll could increase as emergency teams continue assessing the affected area.

Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, has been under the control of the AFC/M23 movement since February 2025, adding another layer of difficulty to emergency operations in the conflict-affected region.

The tragedy has prompted expressions of grief from education authorities in Kinshasa. The national Ministry of Education said the loss of life was deeply distressing and indicated that assessments would be carried out at the affected schools, with measures needed to ensure learning can continue.

Families and residents now face the aftermath of one of the region’s deadliest school disasters in recent years, as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire and account for those affected.

The death toll remains provisional.