**Title: More than 20 Children Feared Dead in DR Congo School Fire**
In a tragic incident in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, at least 24 schoolchildren are feared dead following a devastating fire that engulfed two schools. The chaos unfolded as students attempted to escape the flames, leading to a stampede that resulted in numerous casualties. Reports indicate that adults may have also lost their lives in the incident, and there are concerns that the death toll could increase as the situation develops in the densely populated Kadutu commune.
Emergency responders have been working to assist survivors, many of whom have been transported to local hospitals. Eyewitness accounts describe harrowing scenes, with footage showing children lying in pain on hospital floors. In addition to the loss of life, the fire has reportedly destroyed around 300 houses, compounding the tragedy for the affected community. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
Images circulating on social media depict the aftermath, with young children appearing motionless on the ground, highlighting the severity of the disaster. A witness noted that while the fire was extinguished by the afternoon, smoke continued to rise from the smoldering ruins of the affected buildings.
Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, has been under the control of M23 rebels since February of the previous year. In light of this incident, rebel-appointed authorities have stated they are currently assessing the situation and plan to release a provisional death toll later today.
The government in Kinshasa has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. In a statement released on X, the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship conveyed condolences to the families affected by the fire. The ministry emphasized the need for assessments of the impacted schools to ensure that educational activities can continue.
This devastating event follows a similar incident in Kinshasa just last weekend, where residents lost their lives in a stampede at a wedding banquet hall. In response to these tragedies, the Congolese government has mandated strict safety measures and deployed teams across the nation to enforce safety standards at public gathering places.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this heartbreaking event, the focus remains on supporting the survivors and assessing the full impact of the disaster. The situation continues to evolve, and further updates are expected as authorities gather more information.