Fire in rebel-held Bukavu kills 24 schoolchildren in DR Congo

BUKAVU — White smoke continued to rise from piles of rubble and twisted corrugated metal sheets on Thursday afternoon, marking the site where a massive blaze destroyed 300 wooden houses and two schools. The fire has left at least 24 schoolchildren dead in the city of Bukavu, which remains under the control of Rwanda-backed rebels. The disaster occurred in South Kivu province, where the city is governed by an administration appointed by the AFC/M23 movement. While official numbers focus on student casualties, reports from the scene and local medical facilities suggest a higher and more diverse death toll, including adult men.

Casualty Discrepancies and Medical Response

Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, the vice governor of South Kivu province in the AFC/M23-appointed government, stated that the provisional death toll is 24. According to Bwenge, the deceased children include 19 girls and five boys. The rebel administration further stated that 29 people are receiving medical treatment, with 21 of them in intensive care. However, these figures are contested by those on the ground. A man at the scene told Reuters he assisted in loading 17 bodies into an ambulance, specifying that these included men in addition to children. Health workers and residents have indicated that the final death toll is likely to rise. Medical facilities in the area report varying data regarding the intake of victims:

• One hospital reported admitting more than 50 students, 14 of whom died.
• A local health center confirmed it received 10 bodies of people killed in the fire.

Source	Reported Deaths	Reported Injuries/Admissions
AFC/M23 Administration	24 (19 girls, 5 boys)	29 (21 in intensive care)
Specific Hospital	14 students	50+ students admitted
Local Health Center	10 bodies received	Not specified

Chronology of the Blaze

The fire broke out around 8:00 a.m. Local time on Thursday, according to reporting from UN broadcaster Radio Okapi via Thejas News. The flames spread rapidly between two adjacent institutions: Ujamaa Primary School and Furaha Secondary School. Witness Pierre Mudahama described the scene as children were arriving for their studies.

"We were on the avenue and the children had just gone to school when the fire started not far from the school,"

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Pierre Mudahama, witness, via Reuters

Thejas News reported that many students collapsed during the rush to escape the flames. A nurse at a nearby hospital told AFP that some victims died at the scene while others succumbed to their injuries after being admitted. The victims admitted to the hospital included both students and teachers.

Rebel Occupation and Infrastructure Fragility

The scale of the destruction, specifically the loss of 300 wooden homes, highlights the vulnerability of the urban infrastructure in Bukavu. The city was seized during a lightning advance across eastern DR Congo early last year by the AFC/M23.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which schools were destroyed in the fire?

The fire destroyed Ujamaa Primary School and Furaha Secondary School.

Who currently controls Bukavu?

The city is controlled by the AFC/M23 movement, which seized the area during a lightning advance early last year.

Is the death toll finalized?

No. While the AFC/M23 reports 24 children dead, residents, health workers, and witnesses report adult casualties and suggest the total count will increase.

The AFC/M23 has issued a statement confirming that a provisional death toll is in place and that an investigation into the cause and circumstances of the blaze is currently underway.

Emergency Admissions and Treatment

The medical response to the disaster has been split across various local facilities. Those with the most severe injuries were transported to Kadutu General Hospital, according to Thejas News. The chaos of the evacuation contributed to the casualty count; reports indicate that numerous students collapsed while attempting to flee the flames in the rush to escape. A nurse speaking to AFP noted that the victims receiving treatment included not only students but also teachers. The discrepancy between official reports and witness testimony remains a point of tension. While the AFC/M23 administration focuses on the 24 children, a man who assisted emergency services told Reuters he helped load 17 bodies into a single ambulance, explicitly noting that the dead included adult men. This corroborates claims from other health workers that the total number of fatalities will likely increase as more remains are recovered from the rubble. The AFC/M23 administration maintains that its current figures are provisional. For the families of the victims and the residents of Bukavu, the next step is the conclusion of the official investigation into the cause and circumstances of the blaze.

Investigation and Recovery Efforts

The scale of the disaster remains undetermined as recovery operations continue amid the ruins. While the fire was extinguished by the afternoon of Thursday, witnesses reported that white smoke continued to emanate from the wreckage of corrugated metal and timber. The discrepancy in casualty figures persists between the AFC/M23 administration and those providing direct care. While the rebel government maintains a provisional count of 24 children, medical reports from various sources indicate a wider scope of victims. According to reports from The Canberra Times and GMANetwork, the final death toll is expected to rise as residents and health workers continue to assess the site. The presence of adult male fatalities, reported by a man assisting ambulances at the scene, suggests that the fire's impact extended beyond the student population of Ujamaa Primary and Furaha Secondary. The AFC/M23 administration has committed to a formal inquiry. For the families of the deceased and the survivors currently in intensive care, the next step is the release of the findings from the investigation into the cause and circumstances of the blaze.