Fire Spreading to Schools in Congo Kills 24 Students
Flames that started in a house in the city of Bukavu and spread to two schools led to a major tragedy; numerous students were injured in the incident.
A fire in the city of Bukavu in eastern Congo affected two schools, causing at least 24 students to lose their lives and 29 people to be hospitalized for treatment.
Origin and Spread of the Fire
A fire broke out in a house on Thursday in the city of Bukavu, located in eastern Congo. Local neighborhood leader Moïse Lubala stated that the flames grew rapidly and spread to two adjacent schools.
Loss of Life and Condition of the Injured
Lawrence Kanyuka, a spokesperson for the M23 rebel group, announced that at least 24 students, including 19 girls and 5 boys, lost their lives in the tragic incident. Meanwhile, 29 people injured in the incident were taken for treatment at nearby local health facilities.
Moments of Panic at the Schools
It was reported that some students trapped inside the Furaha secondary school suffocated. Due to the narrow exit door, students reportedly jumped from windows while those rushing toward the door were trampled.
Congestion at Health Centers
Students of various ages from the Furaha and Ujamaa primary schools were brought to the Nyamulagira BDOM health center wearing their school uniforms. Nurse Ciza Jean-Baptiste stated that they had difficulty keeping track of the exact number due to the high volume of injured people.
Structural Characteristics of the Region
While the exact cause of the fire is not yet known, it was noted that the neighborhood is extremely crowded and most of the houses in the area are made of wood. The city is under the control of the M23 rebel group.