In short
- At least 24 schoolchildren died in a stampede as they tried to flee a fire that engulfed two schools in Bukavu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Rebel-appointed authorities in Bukavu released a provisional death toll of 24 on Thursday evening, confirming earlier reports.
- Some 300 houses were destroyed in the same fire, the cause of which is unknown.
- Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, was captured by M23 rebels in February 2025.
- The fire followed a similar blaze in Kinshasa the previous weekend, where residents died in a stampede at a wedding banquet hall.
At least 24 schoolchildren died in a stampede as they tried to escape a fire that engulfed two schools in Bukavu, in the rebel-held east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a provisional toll released by the city’s rebel-appointed authorities on Thursday evening. Adults also died and officials fear the toll will rise.
How did the children die?
The stampede happened as pupils tried to flee a fire that engulfed two schools in Bukavu. Survivors have been taken to nearby hospitals, and footage of the scene shows children lying on hospital floors in pain. Pictures circulating on social media show young children lying motionless on the ground.
How many people died in the Bukavu fire?
Rebel-appointed authorities released a provisional death toll of 24 on Thursday evening, confirming previous reports. Adults are also reported to have died, and officials say there are fears the number of dead could rise further because the fire struck the densely populated Kadutu commune.
Where is Bukavu and who controls it?
Bukavu is the capital of South Kivu province and one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most crowded hillside cities. M23 rebels captured the city in February 2025, and the provisional death toll was released by the rebel-appointed authorities now administering it.
What caused the fire and how many houses burned?
Some 300 houses were destroyed in the same fire, the cause of which is unknown. A witness quoted by Reuters news agency said the fire had been put out by the afternoon, but smoke was still rising from rubble and corrugated metal.
What has the Congolese government said?
The government in Kinshasa released a statement on X without specifying numbers of casualties.
“The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship expressed deep sorrow over the deadly fire,” it said. “With several lives lost and many injured, the toll remains provisional. The minister offered condolences, affirmed solidarity with families, and ordered assessments of affected schools to ensure learning continuity.”
Has DR Congo had other deadly fires recently?
The fire in Bukavu 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.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Bukavu school fire?
At least 24 schoolchildren died in a stampede as they tried to flee the fire, and adults are also reported to have died. Authorities in Bukavu said the toll was provisional and could rise.
Where is Bukavu?
Bukavu is the capital of South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and one of the country’s most crowded hillside cities.
Who controls Bukavu?
M23 rebels captured Bukavu in February 2025, and the provisional death toll of 24 was released by the rebel-appointed authorities administering the city.
What caused the fire in Bukavu?
The cause of the fire, which destroyed some 300 houses, is unknown. A witness quoted by Reuters said the fire had been put out by the afternoon, though smoke was still rising from rubble.
With reporting from BBC News.