Full Breakdown
Fire Engulfs Two Schools in Bukavu, Killing Dozens of Children
By Drooid · · How we work
Tragedy Unfolds: What Happened
On September 10, 2026, a blaze that began in a house spread to the adjoining Furaha secondary school and Ujamaa primary school in the Funu area of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Witnesses said the fire quickly engulfed both schools, trapping students inside. Narrow exits and panic led many children to jump through windows or rush toward a single doorway, where they were trampled.
Background: Conflict-Ravaged Bukavu
Bukavu has been under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group since February 2025, following a rapid offensive that captured the city from the central government. The region hosts more than 100 armed factions competing for mineral wealth, and its health system is already strained by the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, which has claimed over 3,300 lives.
Casualties and Damage: Conflicting Figures
- The rebel administration that governs Bukavu reported 24 student deaths (19 girls, 5 boys) and 29 injuries treated at local facilities.
- The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship confirmed the fire affected Furaha and Ujamaa schools and described the death toll as “provisional,” pending verification.
- Local health centres cited 10 bodies received and more than 50 students admitted, with 14 deaths recorded.
- A Reuters-cited witness said he helped load 17 bodies onto an ambulance.
- Qazinform cited 15 students killed in the stampede, while earlier reports mentioned 14 children dead.
The disparity reflects the chaotic aftermath, limited communication infrastructure, and the provisional nature of early counts.
Official Responses
- Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, announced the death of 19 girls and five boys and ordered medical assistance for the injured.
- The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship expressed “deep sorrow” over the fire, offered condolences to families, and instructed relevant services to assess the schools, provide immediate aid, and ensure continuity of learning.
- The central government in Kinshasa released a statement on its X platform, affirming solidarity with victims but did not provide casualty numbers.
On-the-Ground Accounts
Local administrator Moïse Lubala described how the fire started in a densely populated, wooden-house neighbourhood, spreading rapidly to the schools. He noted that the narrow exit forced students to crowd the doorway, creating a deadly crush. Nurse Ciza Jean-Baptiste reported that medical staff struggled to track injuries because of the large number of victims arriving in school uniforms.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The exit was too narrow, so some students began jumping through windows while others rushed toward the door. As everyone tried to force their way out, students were pushed over and trampled on,” — Lubala. The, witness — Moïse Lubala, local neighborhood administrator
*The quote illustrates the chaotic evacuation that contributed to the high casualty count.*
