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20 Children Fears Dead in DR Congo School Fire
Confirmed
In Short: At least 20 people, including students, died in a fire that broke out at Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools in Bukavu, a rebel-controlled city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A fire in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has killed at least 20 people, including students, according to local media and medical sources. The incident occurred at around 8am local time in the Chimpunda district, affecting Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools and a nearby settlement.
Local leader Patrice Buduge told AFP that the fire was followed by a violent stampede, causing students to trample over one another or seek a dangerous way out, with many fainting and losing consciousness. At least 14 children were among those killed, according to a nurse at a local clinic.
The fire, which consumed several houses and spread to the two schools, has left survivors in pain and taken them to nearby hospitals. The death toll could rise further as the incident occurred in the densely populated Kadutu commune.
Bukavu, captured by M23 rebels in February last year, has experienced several fires in recent days. The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship expressed deep sorrow over the deadly fire, and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
What's confirmed
- A fire in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has killed at least 20 people, including students, according to local media and medical sources. The incident occurred at around 8am local time in the Chimpunda district, affecting Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools and a nearby settlement.
- Local leader Patrice Buduge told AFP that the fire was followed by a violent stampede, causing students to trample over one another or seek a dangerous way out, with many fainting and losing consciousness. At least 14 children were among those killed, according to a nurse at a local clinic.
- The fire, which consumed several houses and spread to the two schools, has left survivors in pain and taken them to nearby hospitals. The death toll could rise further as the incident occurred in the densely populated Kadutu commune.
- Bukavu, captured by M23 rebels in February last year, has experienced several fires in recent days. The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship expressed deep sorrow over the deadly fire, and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
What's still developing
- United Nations Radio Okapi, quoting local authorities, said 20 people were killed and an unspecified number injured on Thursday when a fire broke out in the Chimpunda district of Bukavu, South Kivu’s provincial capital.
- Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed the blaze consuming a number of houses, amid a spread of flames that reached the two schools.
- The fire appears to have been put out but smouldering ruins remain At least 24 schoolchildren are feared dead in a stampede as they tried to flee a fire that engulfed two schools in rebel-held Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a senior official there has said.
- A witness quoted by Reuters news agency said the fire had been put out by afternoon but smoke was still rising from rubble and corrugated metal.
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