A fire and stampede at Ujamaa primary school in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, killed at least 26 children on Thursday morning. The blaze broke out around 9:00 am during class, prompting students to jump from upper floors to escape, according to teacher Simon Kasamira, who was later admitted to a clinic. Some pupils were trampled in the rush to flee, while others died from asphyxiation, said inspectors from the Congolese education ministry. The fire started simultaneously at three locations approximately 500 metres apart, a ministry report stated.
UNICEF confirmed 25 children were injured in the incident. The victims included 20 girls and six boys, according to the M23 armed group, which controls Bukavu and declared three days of mourning. Funerals are expected to be held on Saturday. The school was constructed from wooden planks, and locals picked through the wreckage as smoke rose from the site. Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province, is known for densely packed wooden houses on hillsides where fires frequently occur. In October, a fire in the city killed 14 people, mostly children.
Both the Congolese government in Kinshasa and M23 have called for an investigation into the cause of the fire. The education ministry expressed "profound sadness" and noted the incident follows a series of recent fires in Bukavu. The city has faced ongoing instability due to conflict involving multiple armed groups, including M23's campaign to control mineral-rich areas of eastern DRC since February 2025.
The simultaneous outbreak of fires at three locations raises questions about whether the incident was accidental or linked to structural or security failures. Students and parents in similar schools should demand immediate safety audits, especially in areas with poor firefighting infrastructure and high building density.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
