DR Congo School Fire Kills At Least 20 Students

At least 20 students were killed and several others seriously injured when a fire broke out at two schools in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday, local media reported.

The incident occurred at Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools at about 8am local time in Chimpunda district, in South Kivu’s provincial capital, Bukavu, according to UN Radio Okapi.

Local authorities said some students died in a stampede as they tried to escape the flames. Several others who suffered burns and smoke inhalation were reportedly admitted in critical condition at nearby health facilities.

The fire was said to have started at a nearby building before spreading to the schools. Local media reported that the blaze also destroyed nearly 500 homes and a clinic.

Bukavu is currently under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel group.

The death toll remains provisional, while the cause of the fire has not yet been established, according to local media.

The incident comes days after 22 people were killed and several others injured in a fire at a wedding venue in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The authorities have not disclosed further details about the circumstances that caused Thursday’s fire.

SOURCE: AA