Officials in Bukavu said a blaze swept through two schools in the Kadutu neighbourhood on Thursday, prompting children to flee in panic.
The ensuing stampede resulted in the deaths of at least 24 pupils, according to provisional figures released by the rebel‑appointed authorities.
Adults were also reported among the casualties, and the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue to assess the scene.
Survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals, where medical staff treated a number of injured children on the floors of the facilities.
Around 300 houses were also reported destroyed in the conflagration, although the cause of the fire remains unclear. A witness quoted by Reuters said the flames had been extinguished by the afternoon, but smoke continued to rise from the wreckage of corrugated metal structures.
The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship in Kinshasa expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to families and pledging to assess the affected schools to maintain learning continuity.
Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, has been under the control of M23 rebels since February of the previous year, and the incident follows a recent deadly fire in Kinshasa that sparked a stampede at a wedding venue, prompting the national government to tighten safety regulations at public venues.
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Category: International
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