Authorities have confirmed that at least 24 schoolchildren have died 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.
Adults are also reported to have died in the fire and there are fears that the death toll could rise further in the densely populated Kadutu commune and survivors have been taken to nearby hospitals, and footage of the scene shows children lying on hospital floors in pain.
Rebel‑appointed authorities released a provisional death toll of 24 confirming previous reports, but there are fears that more people may have died and about 300 houses are reported to have been destroyed in the fire whose cause remain unknown.
A witness said that the fire had been put out by yesterday evening but smoke was still rising from rubble and corrugated metal.
It should be remembered that Bukavu, which is the capital of South Kivu province and one of Democratic Republic of Congo’s most crowded hillside cities, was captured by M23 rebels in February last year.
The United Nations Radio Okapi, quoting local authorities, said 20 people were killed and an unspecified number injured as many of them fainted and others lost consciousness.
Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, an official from the rebel administration told journalists that people had died who included 19 ‌girls and five boys.
Bwenge, who is Vice Governor of South Kivu province in the government appointed by the Rwanda-backed M23 movement, added that 29 others were injured.
