At least 20 dead in school fire in Bukavu, DR Congo

A fire broke out in the city of Bukavu, an area currently under the control of the Armed Forces of the Congo (AFC) and the M23 rebel group, leaving several victims among the local population. Officials and media outlets reporting from the scene confirmed that primary school students were among those injured or killed in the blaze, highlighting the impact of the incident on the community’s youngest members.

The incident has prompted calls for an investigation into the cause of the fire and for increased protection of civilian facilities in the contested region. Humanitarian agencies are mobilising assistance for the affected families, while local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as security conditions in the AFC/M23‑held territory remain volatile.