DAKAR — A tragic fire erupted at a school in Bukavu, a city in eastern Congo that remains under the control of Rwanda‑backed AFC/M23 rebels. Local and medical sources reported that the blaze killed at least 17 people, among them several children.
Casualties and response
A witness at the scene told Reuters he helped load 17 bodies—men and children—into an ambulance. A nearby health centre confirmed receipt of 10 bodies, while another hospital said it had admitted more than 50 students, 14 of whom later died.
Context of the conflict
Bukavu has been under rebel control since the M23 offensive intensified last year, complicating emergency response efforts. The cause of the fire remains unclear, and authorities have not yet released a definitive investigation.
Rebel statements
Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the rebel alliance, said he does not have an exact death toll but estimates the number of fatalities at around ten, acknowledging the difficulty of obtaining precise figures amid the chaos.
The incident underscores the humanitarian challenges faced by civilians in conflict‑affected regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where access to medical care and safety infrastructure is limited.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
