At least 24 schoolchildren died in a stampede and fire at two schools in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A fire and subsequent stampede in the city of Bukavu, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, killed at least 24 schoolchildren. The blaze began in a residential area and spread to the Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools. Local officials reported that the victims included 19 girls and five boys, though some reports indicate the death toll could rise as investigations continue. The fire also destroyed approximately 300 wooden houses in the densely populated Kadutu commune. Survivors were transported to nearby medical facilities, where dozens of students and teachers were treated for injuries and asphyxia. Emergency teams from the AFC/M23 rebel movement, which currently controls the city, deployed to contain the flames and mobilize assistance for those affected. The government in Kinshasa expressed sorrow over the tragedy and ordered assessments of the affected schools to ensure learning continuity.